Jasmine Prices Hit Historic High in Madurai Ahead of Pongal Festival
Madurai witnessed a stunning price surge for jasmine buds on Wednesday, just before the Pongal festival. At the Mattuthavani integrated flower market, prices reached an unprecedented range of Rs 10,000 to Rs 14,000 per kilogram. This marks a dramatic jump from previous years, where the highest prices typically hovered between Rs 7,500 and Rs 8,000 per kg.
Severe Shortage Drives Jasmine Costs Skyward
Flower vendors pointed to a perfect storm of factors causing the shortage. Frosty weather conditions combined with increased export demands have severely limited jasmine availability. K Ganesan, a vendor at the Mattuthavani market, explained the situation clearly. "Frost damage and rising exports have created this shortage," he said. "People keep asking for jasmine, but we simply cannot meet the demand."
Vendors responded to the scarcity by selling jasmine buds in small heaps rather than larger quantities. Customers expressed shock at the unprecedented pricing. Valli Mayal, a market shopper, shared her experience. "We expect flower prices to rise before festivals, but this year's jasmine prices are truly shocking," she said. "The limited supply puts everyone in a difficult position."
Other Flowers and Sugarcane Show Mixed Trends
While jasmine prices soared, other popular flowers maintained more stable pricing. Marigold sold at Rs 100 per kg, and roses moved at Rs 170 per kg. These prices remained largely consistent with last year's rates. However, large quantities of two-day-old marigold flowers went unsold and were eventually discarded.
Sugarcane prices also showed significant increases compared to last Pongal season. Vendor C Shettu provided specific numbers. "Last year, a bundle of 15 sugarcanes sold for Rs 300 to Rs 350," he noted. "This year, the same bundle costs Rs 450 to Rs 470."
M Karthikeyan of the Tamil Nadu Jaggery Merchants Association explained the sugarcane situation. "This year's output has generally been lower due to labor shortages," he said. "Sugarcane requires persistent time and effort as a labor-intensive crop." Shettu added that about 75% of sugarcane production went to Public Distribution System shops, leaving only 25% available in the open market.
Vegetable Prices Drop While Traditional Items See Steady Demand
In contrast to jasmine and sugarcane, vegetable prices showed a downward trend. N Chinnamayan, president of the Mattuthavani Central Market All Traders Association, reported cheaper prices for several vegetables. Brinjal, lady's finger, carrot, beans, and ginger all cost less this year compared to last Pongal.
Chinnamayan attributed the vegetable price drop to steady arrivals from neighboring states. "Consistent supplies from Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka have helped keep vegetable prices lower," he explained.
Traditional Pongal items showed moderate market behavior. Raw rice, jaggery, ghee, and cashew nuts experienced steady demand without major price hikes. S V S S Velshankar, president of the Tamil Nadu Foodgrains Merchants Association, described the pattern. "Every year sees marginal price increases due to festival demand," he said. "This year followed the same trend."
Cultural Significance Keeps Demand High Despite Prices
Despite the shocking prices, customers emphasized jasmine's cultural importance during Pongal celebrations. A Ilayaraja, another market visitor, captured this sentiment perfectly. "We cannot manage a festival without jasmine, even when prices are high," he stated. "Prices of other worship flowers may fluctuate, but jasmine remains absolutely indispensable."
The price surge highlights how weather conditions, export markets, and agricultural labor issues can converge to create dramatic market shifts during important cultural celebrations. While some commodities become more affordable, others reach unprecedented levels, testing both vendors and consumers during festive preparations.
