Flower business hit hard in Vadodara due to Corona pandemic

The complete ban on Garba by the government to control Corona pandemic has a major impact on small and big businesses associated with Navratri. The flower market business in particular has been affected by 75 per cent. Marigold and roses are in high demand during Navratri, but the sellers are only doing 25 per cent of the sales this year.

The flower market at Khanderao Market on Rajmahal Road in the city is famous of variety of flowers and during the festive season the demand is at peak. Flowers selling here are arrived from various places of city, district like Anand, Chhota Udepur and Madhya Pradesh. Small and large traders arrived here to buy flowers at wholesale prices and make a living by selling loose flowers and garlands in their areas.

Nileshbhai Mali, a flower wholesaler said, the ban on Garba due to corona has effect on the flower market. During Navratri sale of flowers is high but this year the flower market has been affected by 75 per cent. Only 25 per cent of the flowers are coming to the flower market, but even 25 per cent are not being sold. The prices of Golgotha ​​and roses have come down sharply as there are not buyers due to ban on Garba.

If Garba continued, flowers would have been sold to decorate the stage. Similarly the demand for flowers in temples is also low. Fearing Corona even retail customers were afraid to buy flowers. Last year, the wholesale price of Golgotha ​​was Rs 60 per kg. and it is Rs 30 this time.

The price of roses has also comes down as last year it was Rs 350 to Rs 400 per kg. but this year the roses are being sold at Rs 100 to Rs 150 per kg. The traders are suffering a lot due to the present situation.

Ramanbhai Baria, who cultivates flowers, said that the farmers who come to sell flowers early in the morning are not getting the required price. After bringing the flowers to the market, they sell them to the price they get. Speaking of Golgotha it ​​is selling at Rs 10 per kg and many farmers also don’t have have money to pay rent. Farmers have also suffered heavy losses in the lockdown due to the pandemic. Now that the market is open farmers are not getting desired price and their condition become worse.

Sureshbhai Mali, a trader who sells flowers on Waghodia Road said, this time no one buys flowers even though they are cheap. The garland they used to sell for Rs 40 to 50 in Navratri is selling for 20rs but there are no buyers. They can’t stock flowers for long and it is time to throw them away. Their livelihood is depend on flowers selling but Corona pandemic has made it difficult to make ends meet.