Bengaluru flower prices have risen sharply ahead of Diwali, with kanakambara selling for up to Rs 2,000 a kg at KR Market as traders reported lower supplies and stronger festive demand. Fruit and puja material prices have also increased, adding to household expenses during the festival season.
Large crowds were reported at KR Market, Gandhi Bazaar, Malleshwaram, Yeshwanthpur, Hoskerehalli and Kalasipalya as residents bought flowers, fruits, coconuts, banana stems and mango-leaf festoons for Naraka Chaturdashi and Balipadyami. The rush also led to traffic congestion and parking difficulties around the markets. Some visitors were reported to have parked vehicles along roadsides and on bridges before walking to the market areas.
At KR Market, marigold prices have increased from about Rs 100-120 a kg last year to as much as Rs 200 this year. Kanakambara has risen from Rs 1,000 to Rs 2,000 a kg, while gundu jasmine is selling at Rs 1,400, compared with Rs 800 previously. Kakada has risen from Rs 200 to Rs 400 a kg, chrysanthemum from Rs 100 to Rs 200, rose from Rs 80 to Rs 120 and sugandharaja from Rs 100 to Rs 200.
Traders attributed the flower price rise to fluctuations in rainfall, high temperatures and weather-related damage that reduced yields and limited supplies reaching Bengaluru markets. Demand has increased at the same time because flowers are used for household worship and festive decoration.
Fruit prices have also moved upwards. Elakki bananas are being sold at Rs 120-130 a kg, apples at Rs 200-250, pomegranates at Rs 250-280 and sweet lime at Rs 100-120. Coconuts are priced at Rs 30-50 each depending on size, while four lemons are being sold for Rs 30. Traders said fruit production had fallen by about 30% this year because of weather conditions. Higher petrol and diesel prices have also increased the cost of transporting fruit from other states to Bengaluru.
The prices of several puja items have risen as well. A pair of banana stems is selling for Rs 50-60, mango-leaf festoons for Rs 30-40 each and clay lamps for Rs 50-150 per dozen, depending on size.
Vegetable prices, however, were reported to be largely stable because supplies had not been significantly disrupted. Onions were selling at Rs 65 a kg, carrots at Rs 55, beans at Rs 70, ladies’ finger at Rs 60, round brinjal at Rs 35, capsicum at Rs 60, beetroot at Rs 40, cabbage at Rs 20, ridge gourd at Rs 50 and tomatoes at Rs 20. Cauliflower was priced at Rs 10 per piece, trader Madhu said.
The price movement has coincided with one of the busiest seasonal shopping periods at Bengaluru’s traditional markets, where higher demand is being felt alongside supply constraints and limited parking capacity. Traders said the flower and fruit rates would depend on supplies reaching the markets during the remaining festive purchases.
