Over Rs 60 crore worth of Roses up for export this valentine day

Bangalore, Jan 23 (UNI) Over 45 to 50 million stems of Red Roses worth of over Rs 60 crore, was expected shipment from the Garden City Bangalore to Aaizmer in Netharlands, the global terminal market for flowers during this year's Valentine Day.

Speaking to newsmen after holding a meeting of stake holders involved in the flower export to hear their grievances here today Mr P Ganeshan, Secretary, Karnataka State Horticulture Department said that the shipment of Red roses worth over Rs 60 crore was expected to take place between this season.

He said that Valentine day is celebrated worldover on 14th February every year and it will be a great opportunity for the Indian flower growers and exporters to take advantage of the moods and customs of the celebration event.

The stake holders who participated included growers, exporters, cargo and customs department officials and officials who issues phyto sanitary certificates on the quality of shipment of flowers which would be exported to Netharland.

Mr Ganeshan said that the demand assessment of the Cut Flowers to be exported to countries abroad during the Valentine day from Karnataka was found to be 5 million rose flowers. The producer companies have already made elaborate arrangements for production of quality roses to be pushed into valentine market abroad, he said.

He said that the Department has taken all measures for the smooth process of export of flowers during January 28 and February this year for which Bangalore and Mangalore are the designated airports.

He said that in the meeting the exporters have expressed their reservation over the royalty charges levied on roses which are very high and prohibitive and requested the government to come to their rescue. The exporters also objected over Air Fright charges, which were comparatively high than other countries. "The fright charges in Israel was Rs 1.75 per rose stem whereas it is over Rs 3.50 in India and demanded for reduced charges of freight to remain competitive over the overseas players" he said.

Mr Ganeshan also informed that the state government had written the Union Commerce ministry appealing to assist the growers on the Fright charges issue. "Annually the flowers worth over Rs 290 Crore to 300 crore was being exported and the market is growing" he added.

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