Floriculture transactions up by 33.63% to Rs 3.7 billion

KATHMANDU: The annual turnover of the floriculture industry surged to Rs 3.7 billion in the fiscal year 2022/23, marking a notable increase from the Rs 2.3 billion recorded in 2021/22.

This is a year-on-year growth of 33.63%, according to the Floriculture Association of Nepal.

Meen Bahadur Tamang, president of the Floriculture Association of Nepal, said the association initially projected total turnover to be around Rs 3 billion. “But the actual turnover surpassed our estimation. This indicates a significant recovery in the floriculture business, which had suffered setbacks due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” he added.

Before the pandemic, the floriculture industry’s annual turnover was approximately Rs 3.3 billion, with roses alone contributing Rs 180 million to this figure.

While Nepal has achieved self-sufficiency in certain flowers like chrysanthemums and globe amaranths, which are in high demand during the Tihar festival, imports of marigolds for Tihar and roses from India have continued. Likewise, almost all the cut flowers used in bouquets are imported.

Nepal imported Rs 1.18 billion worth of flowers in 2022/23. According to the Department of Customs, Nepal imported roses (fresh cut and buds), chrysanthemums (fresh cut and funds), other cut flowers and buds, and other fresh flowers.

Over 450 flower varieties of flowers are grown in Nepal. The floriculture sector directly or indirectly supports over 44,000 individuals in various capacities, according to the association.

Commercial flower cultivation is done on 221 hectares of land. There are over 1,100 commercial flower farmers across the country.

(With inputs from RSS)