Flower vendors at Dhaka’s Shahbagh are expecting sales worth around Tk50 lakh on the occasion of the Pohela Boishakh.
Preparations, including shop decorations, have already been completed.
On Sunday afternoon, several vendors said business has been slow since Eid, with daily average sales ranging between Tk10,000 to 15,000.
However, on Pohela Boishakh, they aim to sell around Tk50,000 worth of flowers per shop. With about 100 shops in the area, total sales could reach Tk50 lakh.
The vendors hope to make some profit this time, for which they have stocked three times more flowers than usual and introduced new varieties as well.
Reshmi Begum, a flower vendor, mentioned that she regularly sells roses, tuberoses, marigolds, and jasmine. However, during national festivals, there is a demand for other flowers, too.
So, for this Pohela Boishakh, she has brought in gypsy, China gypsy, rod stick, calendula, chrysanthemum, and galioraj flowers from Jessore and Savar.
She added that while these flowers do not usually sell much, they do see increased demand on special occasions. "Roses and tuberoses are especially popular on Pohela Boishakh."
Anisur Rahman, owner of Pushpo Kanan, said that the usual price of a red rose is Tk20, but due to increased wholesale prices during the Pohela Boishakh, he is selling them at Tk30 each.
Similarly, tuberoses that are normally Tk20 have increased to Tk30.
He mentioned that flower headpieces made with 10 types of flowers, are particularly in demand among women participating in festive processions.
Each headpiece is now being sold for Tk120 instead of Tk100.
Customer Habiba Jannat said that she always buys flowers from Shahbagh during festivals because she enjoys browsing through the many shops.
She did note that prices seem a bit higher this Pohela Boishakh.
Abul Kalam Azad, a leader of the flower vendors' association and owner of Anika Pushpo Bitan, told Bangla Tribune that there are over 100 shops in the area.
"The market has yet to stabilize after Eid, and vendors are hopeful for some extra income from the event of Pohela Boishakh," he added.