Flower prices soar dramatically in Tihar festival

Bhaktapur, Oct 20: The prices of Makhamali (globe amaranth) and Sayapatri (marigold) flowers which are essential during the Tihar festival have surged dramatically- from the gardens to the markets.

Today, on the occasion of the Laxmi Puja, farmers at Gundu in the district are selling Sayapatri flowers at Rs 700 per kg, a sharp rise from Rs 300 just a week ago. In local markets, retail prices have crossed Rs 1,000 per kg, reflecting a dramatic price hike within days. Gundu is considered a key flower-producing place in Suryabinayak municipality, Bhaktapur.

According to Prakash Jha from Madhyapur Thimi municipality-5, a garland of Sayapatri weighing 1-kg is being sold at Rs 1,500 in the local market.

Street vendor Pramila Lama, who sells Sayapatri flowers and garlands in the Radhe Radhe area, said that prices began rising from Sunday, starting at the farm level itself. Flowers imported from Kavrepalanchowk, Sindhuli, Sindhupalchowk, and Panchkhal, which were previously priced at Rs 300 per kg, have now doubled to Rs 600 per kg as of yesterday.

Sayapatri flowers grown in open fields are currently selling at Rs 700–800 per kg, whereas tunnel-farmed flowers fetch up to Rs 1,300 per kg due to their better durability, remaining fresh for up to a week.

The price of Makhamali garlands has also seen a notable increase. Previously sold to traders at Rs 25–30 per garland, the price has now gone up to Rs 40–45, while retail prices have soared to Rs 100 per piece in the market.

However, it is also said that there is a significant price gap between what farmers receive and what consumers pay, with middlemen reaping most of the profits in between.

Florist Anita Basnet shared that Gundu alone is supplying flowers and garlands worth around Rs 50 million this year. Individual farming families have been supplying garlands valued between Rs 10,000 and Rs 50,000.

Currently, Makhamali flowers are cultivated across 700 ropanis of land (one ropani is equivalent to 508.737047 square meters) in Gundu, while Sayapatri cultivation covers around 300 ropanis.

According to another local supplier, Urmila Nagarkoti, the price hike at the farmer level was driven by an intense competition among middlemen and suppliers, who rushed to secure flowers for the festive season.

In addition to flowers, prices of traditional citrus fruits used during Tihar, such as Bhogate (pomelo) and Bimiro (citron), have also surged. Bhogate is now priced at Rs 150, up from Rs 60, while Bimiro has increased from Rs 30 to Rs 100–150. (RSS)