Rose growers attribute the fall in the export to various factors including Chinese New Year on February 16
It's a not so rosy a Valentine season for the rose growers in Tamil Nadu's Hosur with the steep fall in the export of roses by 30-40 percent this year.
Rose growers attribute the fall in the export to various factors including Chinese New Year on February 16, Australia's fumigation norm and domination of Kenya and Ethiopia in Europe and Middle East markets.
The total exports from Hosur, which is a hub for production of premium quality roses for the export, is estimated at 25 lakh to 30 lakh flowers this year, says Bala Siva Prasad, president of Hosur Small Farmers Association. Last year, it was 35 lakh to 45 lakh flowers, and it was 50 lakh to 55 lakh flowers in the years before.
South East Asia, particularly, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand, is the biggest market for Hosur roses but it would be shut for vacation in the view of the Chinese New Year hitting out export badly. "It is a tradition for the Chinese population to celebrate their New Year in their hometown. There will not be much demand for the roses since they prefer exotic flowers like lily for decoration. Moreover, the roses are sold at premium prices whereas the exotic flowers will be available at cheaper prices," said Prasad.
The roses export to Australia have also been stopped this year as they have made it mandatory to fumigate the flowers by the supplier, he said. "We are still doing manual fumigation by which flowers are dipped into chemicals.
This may cause flowers to wither fast and can't be exported. We don't have gas fumigation chamber facility," he noted.
The cutthroat competition from Kenya and Ethiopia rose growers in India's traditional markets of Middle East and Europe has hit the roses export badly. "A stem of a premium red rose like Taj Mahal was traded for Rs 26 during last year Valentine's Day in Dubai. This time around, Kenya sells the even better quality of flowers for only Rs 18 to gulf countries forcing a cut in our rates too. African countries were able to produce quality roses at a cheaper price due to the availability of copious water, fertile soil and cheap labour," said Prasad.
Production of cut flowers has also fallen from 75 lakh stems last year to 55 lakhs for this year. Drop in production has been attributed to the heavy spread of downy mildew disease and unfavourable climatic conditions. Extremely cold nights have taken a toll on the quality of flowers, rose growers said, adding that there has been poor demand in domestic markets in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala and Karnataka due to lack of auspicious days since January 26.
Exports drop
- Total exports from Hosur, a hub for production of premium quality roses, is estimated at 25-30 lakh flowers this year, compared to last year’s 35-45 lakh flowers.
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