Flower markets back in business

Hyderabad: This wedding season has come as a big relief for Gudimalkapur flower market, which was reeling under the impact of COVID for the past several months.

Beginning from April, the market which otherwise used to cater to most of the demand from the city, remained closed under the impact of the pandemic except on some occasions like Dussehra. But the year end has come as a blessing for many as the wedding season has brought back the business helping the stakeholders including retailers, traders, farmers, etc. to stand back on their feet. "Now our business is picking up as most of the clients are placing orders and buying flowers in huge quantities. The Dussehra festival brought a ray of hope with the considerable rise in demand for flowers which is prevailing even in the wedding season", said Waseem, a vendor at flower market.

Owner of another flower shop, Ramana also acknowledged the fact as to how the things were returning to normal. "We are now able to get bulk orders for this wedding season. We are able to sell what usually were engaged in including bouquets, garlands, loose flowers and all the decorative items for weddings and parties in huge quantities," he said.

Varieties of flowers like rose, jasmine, chrysanthemums, marigold, Dahlias and exotic types of orchids, tulips could be seen and once again a cynosure for eyes in this wholesale market.

"These flowers come from various cities like Chennai, Bangalore, Kadapa and cities of Maharashtra. Lily comes from Chennai and chrysanthemums comes from Kadapa and marigold comes from Maharashtra. Usually these flowers are available at reasonable prices in this market but during special occasions and seasons, due to the demand and supply fluctuations, the price shoots up," said Pandu Ranga Reddy, a vendor in flower market

Speaking to the Hans India, Market Chairman Praveen Kumar explained that as farming was the least affected sector during the pandemic, more stocks were arriving from neighbouring districts within Telangana and neighbouring States like Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra," he informed.

This centralised market place, which is close to Mehdipatnam, is now back on track catering to religious ceremonies and wedding seasons alike and the traders hope that complete normalcy would be attained in the new year.