Wholesale Flower Market in Bangladesh gains pace despite moving

Flower trading in the city has gained momentum despite shifting of the wholesale flower market to Khamarbari from Shahbag because of extortion and security measures.

"Most of the listed flower wholesalers shifted their business on December 3, 2009 after they had faced extreme extortion and severe security problems recently. But all of the retail buyers do not yet know about the new spot of wholesale flower market," said Bangladesh Flower Society president Abdur Rahim.

"The wholesale trading of flower at Krishibid Institution Chottor of Khamarbari takes place from 3:30 am to 12 noon. Flowers worth around Tk 1.5 to 2.0 million are being sold here per day, while the total flower sale across the country amounts to Tk 3.0 to 4.0 million."

He said, "We have taken lease of the Krishibid Institution Chottor for Tk 100,000 per month from the concerned authority, and now we are free from extortion and security problems."

"Before shifting of the wholesale flower market the businessmen had to pay toll in three or four steps, which was unbearable. But the place of Shahabag wholesale flower market was a government place, so we did not have to pay any rent," he said.

Another leading wholesale flower trader said, "The flower market of Bangladesh is worth about Tk 2.0 billion per year, and it has huge potentiality."

"We sell wholesale flowers around the year, but the main selling season continues from October to March, as it is the main time of weddings and extravagant parties."

"During the month of February our nation experiences a floral fiesta. From the romantic Pohela Falgun and Valentines Day to solemn Ekushey, flowers are a must."

"Suppliers bring truckloads of flowers to Dhaka from Jessore, Savar and other places every morning through bus. We also export some flowers to the Middle east."

Day by day our flower business is flourishing. But we have a lack of experts, and the government's assistance is needed to boost up the sector, he added.