Onam festive rush triggers surge in flower prices in Keralam
Flower prices in Kerala have surged ahead of the Onam festival due to supply chain bottlenecks and poor yields in neighboring states. Local initiatives are attempting to mitigate these costs by increasing domestic production to meet high festive demand.
Why it matters
The price hike illustrates how regional climate issues and supply chain disruptions can impact local economies and cultural celebrations.
The festive season has triggered a sharp surge in flower prices across local markets, driven by supply chain bottlenecks, an early holiday calendar, and reduced yields in neighbouring States. Merchants note that because Onam arrived earlier and following a two-month lull, traders were left with little time to normalise inter-State arrivals.
“The sudden shift right after the off-season caught us off guard,” explains flower merchant Rajesh Ramaswamy. “While prices for roses and white chrysanthemums are fairly consistent with last year, marigolds have shot up from around ₹100 per kilogram to ₹140–₹150.”
He adds that acute water scarcity and adverse weather in key cultivation hubs across Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh have severely pinched supply lines, pushing retail rates for essentials like marigold and jasmine well past last year’s figures.
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