On Valentine’s Day, the demand for roses decreased by 40 percent and will be the business of Rs 1 crore

Kathmandu. Demand for roses in Nepal is expected to fall by 40 percent this year on Valentine’s Day. Kumar Kasaju, president of the Nepal Floriculture Association, told Makalu Khabar that the demand for roses is expected to decline this year based on the demand from florists in and outside the Kathmandu Valley.

“Last year, 200,000 steam roses were consumed, but this year, we estimate that only 120,000 steam roses will be in demand,” he said, “We expect demand for roses to decline this year due to the Covid-19 epidemic and a decline in domestic production.”

According to the association, out of the total demand this year, 72,000 steam roses are expected to be consumed in the valley and the remaining 48,000 steam roses in various cities outside the valley. About 60 percent of the demand is in Kathmandu, 20 percent in Pokhara and the remaining 20 percent in all other cities of the country.

In Nepal, Dutch and Calcutta local varieties of roses are sold more. Domestic production in the Kathmandu Valley and other places meets 20 percent of the supply, while the remaining 80 percent comes from India and third countries. On this basis, it is estimated that 96,000 steam roses will be imported and the remaining 24,000 steams will be supplied by domestic production. Commercial production of roses in Nepal is done in three districts of Kathmandu Valley, Kavrepalanchok and Chitwan.

This year, depending on the quality of the roses, it is estimated that the per-stem will be traded at Rs 60 to Rs 100 and a total of Rs 10 million. Last year, the steam was traded at Rs 80 to Rs 100.

Apart from festivals, there is a demand for 8,000 steam roses in Nepal on a normal day.

This year, Valentine’s Day falls on Friday, Falgun 2, 2077. This day is celebrated by the western countries in the memory of St. Valentine, a soldier who was forced to die in love. The consumption of roses has been increasing every year in Nepal as the practice of celebrating this day has been increasing since the year before Valentine’s Day.

Lately, this day has been celebrated in Nepal by giving names like Valentine’s Day and Valentine’s Day, especially among the youth. On this day, it is customary to give a gift to your beloved couple with a rose, a symbol of love.