Jessore flower growers, traders eye 100C sale

Roses, gladioli, tuberoses, gerbera, marigolds, cosmos, daisy gypsies, dahlias, and chrysanthemums flood local flower markets.

With the winter in place, flower farmers and traders in Jessore are registering growing sales as the demand for flowers rises amid an upward trend in various ceremonies, mainly wedding functions.

Roses, gladioli, tuberoses, gerbera, marigolds, cosmos, daisy gypsies, dahlias, and chrysanthemums flood local flower markets.

Traders supply these flowers to different parts of the country, including the largest flower markets in Dhaka's Shahbagh, Chittagong, Khulna, Barisal, and Rajshahi.

Flower producers and business people in Jhikargachha upazila's Gadkhali union are targeting at least Tk100 crore in sales this season. According to them, this is also subject to a safe and normal political atmosphere, who cultivated flowers on around 1,500 hectares of land.

The sale of flowers since late October has not brought them much profit, as they were forced to pay double the usual shipment fees over the period due to continued blockades and hartals.

Stakeholders say Jessore alone supplies 74% of the countrywide demand, with nearly 6,000 farmers cultivating flowers.

As do the sales and prices, the demand soars significantly in December every year. The demand peaks in mid-December as the nation individually celebrates Victory Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day.

With January seeing a similar situation, the demand continues to skyrocket again in February, when Valentine's Day, which coincides with Pahela Falgun and International Mother's Language Day-cum-Shaheed Day, is observed.

Then comes Independence Day in March. Additionally, various annual events contribute to the growing demand.

Ismail Hoaasin, a farmer in Godkhali upazila's Panisara village who cultivated rose, marigold, and chrysanthemum, said: "We're getting better prices at the beginning of the season.

"However, blockades and hartals are forcing us to pay more for transportation," he said.

Md Saiful Islam, who cultivated gladioli and gerbera on one bigha land, said festivals are organized in large numbers in the winter.

"But if blockades and hartals continue, we may have to see a drop in sales as organizers will either postpone or cancel their programs considering the situation," he feared.

Then again, he is optimistic about better sales ahead.

Abdur Rahman, a flower trader who came to Gadkhali flower market to sell marigolds, said: "I was offered the prices I expected today. I hope the trend will continue."

Jessore Flower Grower and Marketing Association's President, Abdur Rahim, echoing the farmers' sentiment, said: "We were in doubt over a better season for flower-growers and traders following continued blockades and hartals.

"Nevertheless, flowers are being priced well now," he said, hoping to log more than Tk100 crore in sales with several special days ahead.

On a separate note, Rahim demanded the ban on plastic flowers as it threatens the local flower business.