Aparna Desikan By

CHENNAI: The flower market at Koyambedu is teeming with activity this season, with retail vendors and customers making purchases.

The retail vendors however, are not happy with their purchase. They say that the prices of flowers have increased to the extent that making profits is out of question and breaking even, itself, is a tall order.

Kamakshi, a 50-year-old flower vendor, had borrowed Rs 5,000 to purchase a sizeable quantity of flowers at Koyambedu, rake in good profits by selling them at Kodambakkam and celebrate Pongal with her family. But the money borrowed isn’t enough to just break even, she said.

“Five kilos of Saamandhi usually cost Rs 250. This was the same last Pongal. This year, it has increased to Rs 500. For Rs 1,200-1,300 I usually buy double this amount,” she said, pointing to the two bags around her. “At this rate, the money I borrowed would just about suffice to buy more than half the stock I usually buy,” she added.

If this is the state on Tuesday morning, two days ahead of Pongal, as the days progress, the rates will soar further, retail vendors stated. “It is almost noon now and the rates have doubled compared to last year. This evening itself, the prices will soar with more people buying,” said another flower vendor from Virugambakkam.

“Even if we increase the prices, people won’t buy for they are regular customers who wouldn’t pay double just because its festival time,” said a retail seller. Also, flowers are perishable and cannot be hoarded to be sold later. “Even if the prices increase, I need to come every morning and buy a fresh stock. It doesn’t seem profitable. We will still buy without being able to sell at proportionately higher prices. The usual customers won’t buy. We have to incur losses,” the vendors complain.

“However, we can make it up after Pongal,” they added. The vendors predict an increase in prices until Friday, after which the price of flowers, mainly jasmine and rose, will plummet.

“But what’s the point?” questioned Kamakshi, “I borrowed the money to get some profit and celebrate Pongal. Who cares if I make it up when it’s not needed?”