Palakkad: Jasmine prices have surged to record levels, touching up to ₹8,000 per kg, after cold weather disrupted flower production across growing regions.

“Gold is worth only ₹13,000 per gram. But a kilo of jasmine is worth half that. On Wednesday, traders bought flowers from farmers at the market for ₹6,000. Needy people who came to Palakkad to buy flowers for celebrations had to pay ₹8,000 on Thursday,” said jasmine farmer John Joseph (47) from Walayar, describing the sharp rise in prices while showing visible distress.

“I have been cultivating jasmine on a 50 cent plot of land for more than 10 years. There are more than 2,000 plants. In my experience, there has never been such a shortage of flowers. Not even a third of the flowers are being produced now. Even the flower buds are drying up,” John Joseph said.

Farmers in the region said the problem began during the winter season in December. In the Walayar area alone, 13 farmers are engaged in jasmine cultivation.

“There is heavy cold at night and in the morning. There is strong sunlight later in the day. Jasmine grows only in warm conditions. When the weather turns cold, even the budding reduces. Earlier, it was possible to collect up to 18 kg of flowers a day. Now, even 5 kg is difficult,” John Joseph explained.

He added that the cost of fertilisers comes to around ₹7,000 per acre. He said this expense is usually recovered during the January season, when Pongal and wedding-related demand peaks. He noted that despite strong demand this year, low output is leading to losses for farmers.

Must pay a high price

With income falling during Pongal season, jasmine flowers have become costly in the market. Farmers from Walayar received ₹6,000 per kg when selling flowers at markets along the Tamil Nadu border.

S. Shamir, a trader at the Mettupalayam flower market, and M. Sadik, a trader from Sultanpet, said jasmine flower arrivals have dropped by nearly one-third, including supplies from Tamil Nadu.

They said flowers are mainly brought into the city from Sathyamangalam, Coimbatore and Nilakottai. Usually 10 kg is brought but now even 3 kg is hard to source. Traders said prices are unlikely to ease until the Pongal season ends.