KATHMANDU, Oct 19: Flower traders have imported marigold garlands worth around Rs 9 million for the Tihar festival.

According to Floriculture Association Nepal (FAN), 300,000 marigold garlands worth Rs 9 million have been imported this year for Tihar till Wednesday. 

There is demand for around 1.5 million marigold garlands in the market, according to Ramji Prasad Timilsina, vice president of FAN. “Around 15 percent of the market demand will be fulfilled through imports this year,” he added.

Last year, flower traders had imported 200,000 million units of marigold garlands for Tihar.

“Marigold import has increased this year compared to last year to meet the increased demand in the market,” Timilsina added. “Last year, there was demand for only 1.1 million garlands.”

According to the FAN, one-meter of marigold garland is measured as one garland. 
Along with rising in demand, the price of marigold garland has also increased this year. A garland costs Rs 60 in the wholesale market. Last year, the wholesale price was Rs 30-50 per unit only. 

This means consumers will have to dig deeper into their pockets this Tihar. 

Though Nepal has become self-sufficient in globe amaranth and chrysanthemum flowers, it is still struggling to meet the demand for marigold. 

Officials of the FAN said that export of globe amaranth, known locally as Makhamali, is growing with each passing year. “Nepalis residing in foreign land want Makhamali garland for Bhai Tika. This has created demand for this flower in the international market as well,” Timilsina added.

The demand for flowers like chrysanthemum, marigold and globe amaranth increases significantly during Tihar festival. 

 
• marigolds
 
• worth
 
• imported
 
• tihar