Padwa shopping lifts Pune Market Yard flower trade as marigold arrivals cross 21 tonnes

Households and traders preparing for Padwa brought festive buoyancy to Pune's flower market on Monday. Gultekdi Market Yard received 21,360 kg of marigold that day. Traders said good-quality flowers fetched satisfactory prices, while demand for decorative varieties stayed strong ahead of Bhaubeej.

Crowds began gathering early in the morning. Retailers, garland makers and event decorators came from Pune and surrounding areas to pick up stock. Besides marigold, buyers also asked for chrysanthemum, tuberose, aster and other flowers, used in home worship, temple offerings and commercial decoration.

The wholesale market received stock from growers in Pune, Satara, Solapur, Dharashiv and Beed districts. Some farmers had held back their crop hoping for better festive prices. Rainfall was low this season, which affected cultivation and the quality of the crop. For this reason, buyers showed greater demand for good-grade flowers.

Arrivals, apart from ordinary marigold, included 1,821 kg of Tuljapuri marigold, 2,640 kg of tuberose, 5,239 kg of white chrysanthemum and 1,250 kg of yellow chrysanthemum. Rose arrivals were 1,623 bundles.

Wholesale prices varied by variety and quality. Jasmine (chameli) was auctioned at Rs 600 to Rs 700, kagda at Rs 500 to Rs 700 and jui at Rs 600 to Rs 800. Tuberose sold at Rs 80 to Rs 120. Ordinary marigold and white chrysanthemum were priced between Rs 60 and Rs 120. Yellow chrysanthemum sold at Rs 80 to Rs 120, and rose bundles went for Rs 20 to Rs 50.

The festive shopping was also visible in the city's retail markets. People were seen buying flowers, garlands and decoration items around Mahatma Phule Mandai, Shaniwar Peth and Hutatma Babu Genu Chowk. With purchases continuing for Padwa worship and temple events, traders expect business to stay brisk until Bhaubeej.