Flower Prices Surge Ahead of Valentine's Day, Boosting Growers

The demand for flowers has surged in Himachal Pradesh due to the marriage season and Valentine's Day, resulting in nearly doubled prices that benefit local growers. Carnations, for example, have increased in wholesale price from Rs 200-250 to Rs 400 per bunch. This rise in flower prices is also reflected in markets in Punjab and Delhi, where red roses are selling for Rs 30 to Rs 50 each. The floriculture sector in Himachal Pradesh involves over 3,000 families and generates annual sales estimated between Rs 80 crore to Rs 100 crore, with subsidies encouraging more local farmers to join the industry. Meanwhile, as Valentine's Day approaches, flower shops nationwide are experiencing high prices driven by inflation, making flowers a more costly gift option this season. Plant shop owners are also promoting potted plants as lasting alternatives to traditional bouquets, emphasizing their longevity and growth potential as gifts of love.