Flower Sales in Jashore Expected to Exceed Tk 100 Cr

Flower farmers in Gadhkhali, located in Jashore's Jhikargacha upazila, are gearing up for a bustling season as they prepare for key events such as Valentine’s Day, International Mother Language Day, Independence Day, and the Bangla New Year. With these celebrations on the horizon, as well as numerous government and private events, farmers are optimistic about selling flowers worth over Tk 100 crore this season.

This year, higher flower prices have led to expanded cultivation, as farmers strive to capitalize on the increased demand. Gadhkhali, renowned as the "flower capital" of Bangladesh, is known for year-round flower cultivation, with the peak season running from December to April.

In 2025, the region will cultivate 11 types of flowers across 1,200 hectares of land. Around 4,000 to 5,000 families are involved in flower farming, contributing to an annual flower production value ranging from Tk 400 crore to Tk 500 crore. The highest demand typically coincides with major events, such as the English New Year, Bangla New Year, Victory Day, Christmas, Valentine’s Day, International Mother Language Day, and Independence Day. Gadhkhali supplies the bulk of the nation's floral needs during these busy periods, with farmers strategically timing their crops to meet these high-demand dates.

Farmers from areas like Shimulia, Panisara, Haria, Sharifpur, and Gadhkhali collectively account for at least 70 percent of the country's flower supply. Despite the challenges posed by extreme heat and heavy rainfall, they are hopeful for record-breaking sales this season.

At the bustling Gadhkhali flower market on the Jashore-Benapole highway, farmers arrive early each morning with freshly harvested blooms, ready to sell to wholesale buyers from across the country. The market offers a variety of flowers, including roses, gerberas, marigolds, tuberoses, gladiolus, and chrysanthemums. The prices for these flowers are as follows: tuberoses (Tk 5-7 per piece), roses (Tk 6-7 per piece), gladiolus (Tk 13-15 per piece), gerberas (Tk 12-14 per piece), chrysanthemums (Tk 350-400 per 100 pieces), and marigolds (Tk 450-500 per 1,000 pieces).

Palash Hossain, a local farmer, shared his experience, saying, "I have cultivated roses on one bigha of land and tuberoses on another. The cost per bigha has been Tk 70,000 for roses and Tk 35,000 for tuberoses. After covering expenses, I expect a profit of about Tk 1.5 lakh this year."

Hossain is optimistic that, with favorable weather conditions and political stability, flower farmers in Gadhkhali will achieve record sales this season. Shahjahan Ali, a wholesale flower vendor, noted that the English New Year and December 16 sales were strong, with favorable prices. He anticipates continued demand and rising prices in the coming months, as the flower supply began earlier this year than usual, allowing for timely distribution to cities like Dhaka.

Abu Zafar, General Secretary of the Gadhkhali Flower Farmers and Traders Welfare Association, emphasized that farmers are enjoying better prices this year compared to the previous season. After experiencing profitable sales during December 16 and the English New Year, Zafar is confident that the positive trend will continue. "If market prices remain stable, we expect flowers worth more than Tk 100 crore to be sold from Gadhkhali during the upcoming events, bringing substantial benefits to local farmers and helping them recover from past losses," he said.

The growing flower industry in Gadhkhali reflects the dedication of its farmers and their ability to adapt to market demands, offering hope for a flourishing season ahead.