Blockade takes toll on flower growers

Shamsul Huda | Published: February 12, 2015 00:00:00 | Updated: February 11, 2015 22:35:54

The ongoing countrywide blockade enforced by the BNP-led 20-party alliance is taking its toll on both flower growers and traders as transport of flowers is being disrupted seriously.
Due to supply shortage, flowers may not be available as per demand in the current month because the demand for flowers rises sharply on the occasion of Valentine's Day, Pohela Falgun and International Mother Language Day.
Among the harvesting flowers, gladiolus, rose and chrysanthemum are most popular among young boys and girls and the growers invested huge amounts of money in cultivation of these flowers.
Nurul Amin, vice-president of Bangladesh Flower Growers and Exporters Association said, "As flower is perishable item, we cut down the flower branches to reduce carrying costs."
More than 10,000 growers across the country are suffering loss of nearly Tk 6 million a day, he said.
Md Farid, a grower in Savar, said transport cost had sharply increased in recent times due to the non-stop countrywide blockade.
"As I have got orders from my regular clients, I am trying my level best to provide them with flowers before February 14 and International Mother Language Day that falls on February 21."
"I usually supply flowers to five-star hotels, convention centres and some other community centres as my regular customers."
Mr. Farid said flower growers in Gazipur, Manikganj, Dhamrai, Savar and Mymensingh are likely to supply their flowers to Dhaka and its surrounding areas, but it will be very difficult for the growers in Dinajpur, Bogra, Sirajganj and some other southern districts.
Biplob, a trader at Shahbagh, said they were seeking one-fourth of the previous demands per day last month. "But it is also difficult for us to sell them as the demand was low."
He hopes that they may do a brisk business next week on the occasion of Valentine's Day and Pohela Falgun.
At this moment, the demand for rose is high apart from gladiolus, chrysanthemum, gerbera, marigold, tuberose and some other imported flowers from China and India.
Despite having shortage of transport, flowers might be available at higher prices, another trader said. "Members of a flower association are trying to take flowers to the city to meet the growing demand in February," he added.
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