Indian flower growers are expecting a big leap in exports riding on the popularity of day of love on February 14.
Top officials of the Indian Society of Floriculture Professionals (ISFP) expect 15 more 15% more exports than the last year even as shipments have begun to various parts of the world. Majority of flowers are headed to UK, which comprises of more than 35 % of Indian flower export, followed by Australia at 19% and , Japan at18%.
According to Praveen Sharma, president, ISFP, several special orders for Valentine’s Day are coming from countries such as Singapore, Malaysia, Lebanon and Saudi Arabia among others.
“Indian flowers sold in UK supermarkets fetch wonderful prices. As per the latest reports from UK, a bunch of 24 flowers is sold at £ 10 (`900 at current exchange rates) for 18 Indian roses, positioning Indian roses at `38/flower at retail,” he pointed out.
Last year, total exports from India during the month of February was $ 3 million which translates into Rs 20 crore approximately. This year growers are likely to cross a figure of $3.3 million, Sharma said, keeping the current pace of exports in mind. According to him, the quality of roses from Pune region, a major floriculture hub in Maharashtra is wonderful, due to reasonably good winter. Some of the growers have booked orders at premium rates for exclusive 6 cm bud sizes and 70 cm stems of roses, which they managed to grow this winter, Sharma said.
The premium roses in UK supermarkets are sold at £25 per dozen, which works out to be `185/ per flower approximately, he said. He added that the supermarkets are also selling 12 Ever Red Roses — known as ‘super premium’ flowers in the florist industry — for £25.