The florists of Tangail district are working tirelessly ahead of Valentine’s Day on February 14 and International Mother Language Day on February 21, as flower sales reach their peak this time of the year.
A wide array of gladiolas, roses, marigolds and tuberoses have witnessed bumper yields, and they have been fetching good prices ahead of the festivities, which also include Pohela Falgun, the first day of spring, on February 13.
For Valentine’s Day, flowers take precedence over cards, chocolates and other gifts, and that is why they remain in great demand in stores. Additionally, floral tributes are paid to the language martyrs on February 21, which also require significant amounts of flowers.
On visiting some flower markets in the district, this correspondent found every vendor busy catering to the needs of all customers, while makeshift shops and vans selling various in-demand flowers were also set up in the alleyways.
Mohiuddin, proprietor of Phool Ghar in Tangail town’s Victoria Road, told the Dhaka Tribune that he starts to receive orders for large volumes of flowers from the beginning of February, and that intensifies by February 10-12.
“This year is no different,” he said. “But as the days draw nearer to Falgun and Valentine’s Day, the demand goes up significantly. Special occasions such as those help us to earn more.”
He added that between February 10 and 12 alone, he expected to sell Tk1 lakh worth of flowers, including roses, marigolds, gladiolas, gerberas and gypsy flowers.
“Each flower is sold between Tk5-20 a piece,” Mohiuddin said. “But a day or two before the festivities, the prices double. There are nine flower traders on Victoria Road, including me. We expect to sell Tk8 lakh to Tk10 lakh worth of flowers this year.”
Sabuj Sutradhar, another flower vendor, said that on the occasion of Valentine’s Day and International Mother Language Day, he hopes to sell Tk2 lakh worth of flowers, which he buys from wholesalers in Jessore and Dhaka.
Abdur Razzak, deputy director at the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE), said that during the 2017-18 fiscal year, flowers were harvested in over 14 hectares of land in the district, and that is expected to increase in the future, eyeing commercial expansion.
“Flowers are being produced at upazila level, as flowering plants are being cultivated in several of the district’s horticulture centres. Many farmers are switching from fruit and vegetables to flowers, as they reap better profits.”
