Bengaluru Rose Trade Experiences Unprecedented Boom Ahead of Valentine's Day
Bengaluru traders are witnessing a remarkable surge in rose commerce this year as Valentine's Day approaches this Saturday. The International Flower Auction Bangalore (IFAB) anticipates the number of rose stems auctioned during the current season will exceed one crore, marking a significant milestone for the region's floral industry.
Record-Breaking Auction Numbers
IFAB's assistant general manager, Veena AM, revealed that this year's auction count has already surpassed last year's total even before February 14th. "Last year, a total of 88.1 lakh rose stems were auctioned between February 1st and 14th. This year, the number is already 88.3 lakh on February 12th," she stated. Veena added that approximately 10 to 13 lakh additional stems are expected to be auctioned by the end of Saturday, potentially pushing the seasonal total well beyond the crore mark.
IFAB handles over 70% of all roses sold in and from Bengaluru, establishing it as the dominant marketplace for floral trade in the region. The remaining roses are procured directly from growers and distributed through prominent markets like KR Market.
Early Demand and Price Increases
IFAB managing director and joint director of horticulture, M Viswanath, noted an unusual pattern in this year's demand cycle. "Typically, demand for roses begins to soar around February 7th. This year, the demand began earlier, starting from February 1st in the run-up to Rose Day on February 7th," he explained.
The early and increased demand has naturally driven up prices. Rose stems have seen a 10-15% price increase compared to last year. While the average cost per stem was Rs 14-16 last year, this year it ranges from Rs 16-18 on average, reaching up to Rs 20 in certain cases.
Geographical Reach and Distribution
The roses auctioned in Bengaluru originate from multiple regions:
- Kolar
- Chikkaballapur
- Bengaluru Rural
- Anekal
- Hoskote
- Hosur in Tamil Nadu
These flowers reach diverse destinations both domestically and internationally. Major Indian cities receiving Bengaluru roses include:
- Delhi
- Mumbai
- Kolkata
- Chennai
- Hyderabad
- Visakhapatnam
Internationally, Bengaluru roses are exported to:
- Singapore
- Malaysia
- New Zealand
- Dubai
Quality Enhancement Through Sustainable Practices
The region surrounding Bengaluru cultivates roses across more than 1,500 hectares of land. Viswanath highlighted how sustainable farming practices have significantly improved rose quality. Farmers are required to implement rainwater harvesting systems to qualify for subsidies when setting up polyhouses. This mandate has resulted in farmers saving and utilizing lakhs of litres of rainwater annually in each polyhouse.
"Rainwater is ideal for growing roses as its electrical conductivity is nearly zero. This helps in better nutrient availability to the plants," Viswanath explained. The combination of Bengaluru's favorable climate and soil conditions creates an ideal environment for cultivating Dutch roses.
Bengaluru roses have developed distinctive characteristics that enhance their market appeal. They feature larger buds and stems that grow up to 70 centimeters in length. Additionally, these roses boast an extended shelf life of up to six days, primarily due to optimal cold storage facilities and superior growing conditions.
This year's exceptional performance in Bengaluru's rose trade demonstrates how sustainable agricultural practices, favorable growing conditions, and efficient distribution networks have combined to create a flourishing industry that meets both domestic and international Valentine's Day demand.
