50 per cent drop in prices of flowers during Navratri festival

50 per cent drop in prices of flowers during Navratri festival

PUNE: During this festival of Dussehra, there is 50 per cent decrease in prices of flowers including marigold and chrysanthemums (shevanti) which have reduced the burden on the common man's pocket as flowers form an important part of the Durga puja rituals during Navratri and Dussehra.

The prices of marigold and chrysanthemums have reduced by 50 per cent compared to last year. The officials at Agriculture Produce Market Committee claimed the drop in price is due to increase in supply.

The retail vendors of the flowers in Mahatma Phule Mandai - vegetable and flower market have happy faces, as the wholesale purchase rates of flowers are less compared to last year, also, there is high demand for both the flowers.

Shiva Khole, a retail vendor of marigold flowers said, "Mostly marigold flowers are being purchased for Dussehra as they hold ritual importance. Last year they were sold in retail market for Rs 300 per kg and the purchase rate in wholesale market was Rs 250 per kg. But this Dussehra the rates of marigold has dropped as the purchase rate per kg in the wholesale market is Rs 80 and retail rate per kg is Rs 50 to Rs 120 in Mahatma Phule Mandai depending upon the size of the flowers."

Sonali Bhare, another vendor of marigold, said, "Due to reduced rates of marigold, there is high demand and the business is also doing good as we are gaining profit this year. While last year the scenario was totally opposite, as the production was less hence the prices in the wholesale market was high, due to which there was less quantity of flowers in the market."

Mrutunjay Adhikari, a vendor of marigold and chrysanthemums, said, "Chrysanthemums was sold at Rs 100 to 200 per kilogramme last year in the wholesale market and the retail rate was Rs 220 to Rs 250 per kilogramme. While this year, the wholesale rate of chrysanthemums has reduced in both the wholesale and retail market which is Rs 80 and Rs 90 per kg respectively."

This year, the supply of flowers has increased by 20,000 kg of marigold arriving at the Agriculture Produce Market Committee (APMC) Pune till Tuesday. Pradeep Kale, Head of Department of Flower Market, APMC, said, "This year during Dussehra we have received one to one-and-a-half lakh kg of marigold flowers, while last year the flower market received only 90,000 kg of marigold."

He said, "The reason behind the increase in supply of flowers is because the State received less rainfall this season and hence most of the farmers turned towards floriculture, as the crop can easily be harvested within two months, which lead to the reduction in the price. Also, high rainfall leads to the destruction of the production of the crop, but this year's less rainfall did not destroy much of the crop and therefore there is an increase in the supply of marigold."

"The wholesale rates of marigold is Rs 80 per kg while two days back the wholesale rate was Rs 20. Last year the wholesale rates of marigold was Rs 250 per kg. Along with marigold, the production of chrysanthemums is also good this year. The wholesale rate last year was Rs 200 per kg while this year the rate is Rs 80 per kg," Kale added.

ATTRACTIVE OFFERS FOR BUYING GOLD
The festival of Dussehra holds importance for buying gold and a huge number of people buy gold jewellery, ornaments or gold coins on an auspicious day. Saurabh Gadgil, Chairman and Managing Director, PNG Jewellers; National Vice President, Indian Bullion and Jewellery Association(IBJA), said, "We are expecting good sales this festive season especially on Dhanteras and Diwali. There is a huge demand for gold and diamond jewellery. The market looks promising with newer schemes and offers to attract more customers, hence leading to impressive sales. There is an expectation in the market that gold will appreciate and diamond will also see better growth in the near future, so people have already started buying jewellery as a matter of investment. Also, the wedding season is expected to create more opportunities for the gems and jewellery industry in the coming days."

Vastupal Ranka, Director of Ranka Jewellers, said, "During the auspicious day of Dussehra, the rates for gold will be Rs 31,800 for 24 carats including 3 per cent taxes, rates for diamonds will be Rs 47,000 per carat and the rates of silver will be Rs 39,100 per kg. Along with gold, there will be huge takers of diamonds, because the youngsters prefer diamond over gold. We also have attractive offers over the purchase. And due to lucrative schemes, many people come to purchase these glitters for investment purpose."

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