GUWAHATI: As Rose Day marked the beginning of Valentine’s Week for 2025, the demand for roses increased across Guwahati on Friday, pushing up their prices. Couples and romantics flocked to the streets to buy roses for their loved ones, the city’s markets witnessed a surge in sales, and florists laboured to keep up with the seasonal rush.
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For instance, Phul Gali in Fancy Bazar was one of the busiest wholesale flower markets on Friday, where rose sticks were sold at ₹20-30 each. Retail markets offered contrasting prices though; the rates were double in the latter, with one single rose stick being sold for ₹40-50. Other offerings were available as well, such as dozen fresh roses arranged in a bouquet selling for ₹360, while readymade bouquets leaned towards the higher-end spectrum of ₹1000, somewhere between ₹700 to ₹850. Online platforms took the premium game a step further, with luxury variants reaching for ₹3000 or more!
Despite the price hike, shoppers remained unrelenting, and buyers remained undeterred. “The prices have soared, but I am getting them for my loved ones,” said a buyer at Fancy Bazar. “I don’t mind paying for them.”
This seasonal spike in rose prices is not uncommon; during Rose Day and Valentine’s Week, several factors contribute to the price hike every year. An increase in demand, the burnt that comes along with transportation costs, and time-to-time supply chain constraints are but a list of few reasons why prices for roses surge during this season.
It should be noted that a large portion of the roses sold in Guwahati during this period are imported from Kolkata and Bengaluru, as local production falters when it comes to meeting the overwhelming demand. Adding to this conundrum are the logistical costs of transporting via air and road, and the perishable nature of roses means that florists have to facilitate proper storage and handling, thereby driving up costs.
Stating these reasons, wholesale vendors at Fancy Bazar remain adamant that rose prices are dictated by market dynamics.
With digital shopping also on the rise, many buyers now prefer online platforms for their convenience, wide range of floral arrangements, and doorstep delivery services. However, it is in these shopping platforms where rose prices reign supreme; starting from ₹500 and crossing ₹3000 for more luxurious floral arrangements.
“I am a working professional who barely finds the time to visit a florist,” said Roushan Baruah, an employee. “This is why I order roses every year online, because it saves me the time and hassle to choose them according to my preferences.”
For those looking to buy roses without overspending, experts suggested purchasing flowers early in the morning when fresh stocks arrive and prices are relatively lower. Bargaining at wholesale markets can also help buyers secure better deals. Additionally, opting for locally grown flowers rather than imported ones can significantly cut costs.
Some florists advised customers to pre-order bouquets to avoid last-minute price surges. “Many buyers wait until the last moment, and by then, prices go up due to limited availability. Pre-ordering ensures better rates and fresher flowers,” said a florist at Ulubari.