The Hindu Business Line : Rose exports begin to bloom in Europe, Japan

AN improved net realisation coupled with better than expected demand, especially from Europe and Japan, for Indian roses during the recent Christmas season has enhanced the growers' and exporters' expectations ahead of Valentines Day.

Sources at the South India Floriculture Association (SIFA) said overall exports during Christmas were almost up by close to 30 per cent touching about 100 tonnes or some three million stems. Exports from Bangalore accounted for two-thirds amounting to some two million stems.

An appreciating euro has resulted in improved net realisation for the exporters with an increase of 20-25 per cent over last year. Net realisation per stem stood at almost between Rs 5 and Rs 6 during the Christmas season, said Mr Srinivas Kaza, General Secretary, SIFA. "There was a lot of movement of Indian flowers to Europe, Japan, West Asia and South East Asia this Christmas," he said.

The improved demand was primarily due to short supply of locally produced flowers in Europe. Moreover, poor output in Africa had resulted in increased demand for Indian flowers, sources said adding that the trend was likely to continue especially during the 2004 Valentines season.

"We expect the volumes to pick up by about 40 per cent this Valentines," the sources said adding that Indian flowers were now being recognised for better vase life. The industry expects to export about 85 per cent of its total produce in the forthcoming Valentine season, sources said.

Meanwhile, the members of SIFA have elected Mr Nadeem Ahmed, Managing Director of the Bangalore-based CCL Flowers, as the new President of the association.

Mr T. Ranga Rao of Sachin Floritech and Mr Kaza Srinivas Rao of Rosette Agrotech Ltd have been elected as Vice-President and the General Secretary, respectively at the recently held elections. A release from SIFA said that the revival of rehabilitation process for the ailing industry figured among the top agenda for the new team.

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