BENGALURU: As Ayudha Puja on October 23 and Vijayadashami on October 24 draw near, the demand for fruits, flowers, and vegetables has surged, leading to the anticipated price escalation just before the festival. Prices of specific fruits and flowers have witnessed a notable surge over the past week, burdening citizens with the brunt of these increased costs.
Girish Muchal, the General Secretary of the Karnataka Small Flower Growers Association, shed light on the situation, stating, “The demand for open-field flower varieties like chrysanthemum, marigold, and Cuban rose has substantially increased. Chrysanthemum and marigold prices have doubled, while the price of Cuban roses has tripled.” This trend is a recurring occurrence during all festive seasons, he added.
While the festive season undoubtedly boosts business for vendors, the rising prices compel people to purchase essential festive items at higher costs. Umesh Rathod, a resident of Malleshwaram, lamented, “We are left with no choice but to buy the essentials at the quoted price. This price surge has become a common sight during every festival.”
Another consumer, Priya Chetty Rajagopal, expressed, “The prices of flowers and fruits skyrocket during every festival. This doesn’t come as a surprise to us anymore; it has become a customary occurrence.” In addition to flowers and fruits, there was a noticeable spike in vegetable prices as well. Umesh Mirji, Managing Director of HOPCOMS, noted that there is an increased demand for apples, pomegranates, papayas, guavas, and ash gourds during the festival, leading to a surge in their prices.
However, it’s worth mentioning that despite the uptick in the demand for bananas, their prices have seen a reduction. Vegetables such as cucumbers and chow experienced a marginal increase of Rs 5 and Rs 1, respectively.
