By A Staff Reporter
Kathmandu, Feb. 13: With the beginning of the Valentine's Week, sales of roses have soared at several flower shops of the Kathmandu Valley.
Prior to marking the Valentine's Day, a practice has been there to celebrate the seven days of the whole week with different names-- Rose Day, Propose Day, Chocolate Day, Teddy Day, Promise Day, Kiss Day and Hug Day. Demand for rose is higher during the Valentine's Day than at other times. But this year, the market demand and local production have decreased by 40 per cent thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Floriculture Association Nepal (FAN) said it imported 96,000 sticks of roses for this year's Valentine’s Day.
According to FAN, it imported less rose for this year's Valentine's Day than last year as its demand dropped this year because of COVID-19. "Last year, 200,000 rose sticks were imported," it said.
Prices of rose also declined this year due to the fall in its prices in the international market.
"Domestic production meets only 20 per cent of the demand during the Valentine's Week, and remaining 80 per cent rose is imported from other counties," said Kumar Kasaju Shrestha, FAN president.
During the Valentine's Day, domestic roses are enough to prepare only 24,000 sticks, he said.
The demand for roses is high especially in Kathmandu and Pokhara.
Of the imported roses, 62 per cent are sold in the Kathmandu Valley and 48 per cent in Pokhara and other major cities, he said.
The price of rose per stick is now Rs. 60 to Rs, 100 whereas last year, a stick cost between Rs. 80 and Rs. 100.
Rose business in Nepal on the Valentine’s Day will cross the transactions of Rs. 10 million, according to FAN.