Chennai: After vegetables, flowers are now burning a hole in people's pockets. While on Tuesday, jasmine was sold at Rs 900 per kg at Koyambedu wholesale market, on Monday it was sold at Rs 1,500. Flower vendors say the price would fluctuate between Rs 1,000-2,000 for two more months.
“Currently, we are receiving five tonnes of jasmine from Nilakottai, Dindigul district. They are being transported in cold storage containers, due to which the price is exorbitant. After March, we would receive at least 50 tonnes per day,” said S. Mookaiah, secretary, Wholesale Flower Market Merchants Association.
Traders also attributed the hike to the beginning of marriage season. Also, continuous rains and subsequent formation of mist were affecting the production of flowers considerably. This could be one of the reasons for the price hike, said a vendor at the Koyambedu flower market.
