KATHMANDU, October 12: Flowers worth Rs 400 million are expected to be sold in the upcoming festival of Tihar, which is just one week away.
Organising a press meet on Sunday, Floriculture Association Nepal (FAN) informed that around 4 million units of garlands of marigold and 550,000 units of garlands of globosa will be transacted during the festival of light this year.
Scarcity of flowers and garlands during Tihar
Additionally, 200,000 units of globosa garlands are expected to be exported from Nepal. According to the FAN, the average price of a marigold garland will remain at Rs 80-85 per meter, while that of a globosa garland will be Rs 40-45 per meter.
Flower trading soars in Tihar mainly in the urban areas across the country. Although the government imposes an import embargo to promote domestic products, a large amount of marigold flowers is imported from India through illegal channels.
The Kathmandu Metropolitan City has announced a ban on selling imported flowers and related products in the capital city during Tihar. The metropolis is all set to maintain flower selling points at 32 locations in Kathmandu that will include New Baneshwar, Phoenix Tower in Shankhamul, Sifal Chaur, Chabahil Ganeshthan, KL Tower, Old Baneshwar, and Star Mall in Putalisadak, on October 17-22.
