By A Staff Reporter, Kathmandu, Feb. 10:  Sales of rose has soared at several flower shops of the Kathmandu Valley, as the Valentine's Week began from Friday as the Rose Day.

Before the Valentine's Day, there is a practice of marking the seven days of the whole week with different names -- Rose Day, Propose Day, Chocolate Day, Teddy Day, Promise Day, Hug Day, and Kiss Day.

The demand for and import of rose is higher ahead of Valentine's Day than at other times. 

With the increased demand of roses, the Floriculture Association Nepal (FAN) imported 120,000 sticks of rose worth Rs. 10 million for this year's Valentine’s Day, said Kumar Kasaju Shrestha, president of FAN.

The roses are imported from Kolkata, Delhi and Bangalore of India. 

The domestic production around this time hovers at around 30,000 sticks, he said. 

"Domestic production meets 20 per cent of the demand during the Valentine's Week and remaining 80 per cent is imported from other counties," he said.

The demand for roses is high especially in Kathmandu and Pokhara.

According to FAN, it imported less roses for this year's Valentine's Day than last year due to lesser demand. "Last year, roses worth Rs. 10.5 million were imported," said Kasaju Shrestha, president of FAN. 

Of the total imported roses, 60 per cent are sold in the Kathmandu Valley and 40 per cent in Pokhara and other major cities, he said.

The price of per stick rose in the market now is Rs. 70 to Rs. 100.