Lotus sales surge in Kolkata markets after poll results

Kolkata’s flower markets are witnessing a noticeable spike in lotus sales a day after the West Bengal election results, with traders linking the sudden demand to the victory of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). While prices have remained stable for now due to seasonal abundance, sellers say buying patterns have shifted sharply since the results were declared.
“At this time of the year, lotus supply is naturally high, so prices haven’t gone up yet,” said Dipankar Das from Nidhi flower shop. “But demand has increased drastically. We usually sell four or five lotuses at a time. Since yesterday, we have sold almost 20 to 30 pieces. If this demand continues, prices may rise soon.”
The trend, however, is not uniform across the city. Rajib from Gour Hari flower shop said the surge is more visible in larger markets than in neighbourhood stalls. “A few people did buy the flower, but in our area it hasn’t sold in huge quantities like it has in the bigger flower markets,” he said.
Echoing a similar view, Tapan Majumdar from Tapan Shop Market noted that retail shops are seeing limited change. “Shops aren’t witnessing a surge in lotus sales. It’s mostly the markets and wholesalers where bulk buying is happening,” he explained.
Traders point to Mullik Ghat Flower Market as the centre of this activity, with heavy movement of stock since morning. “This morning, when we went to buy flowers, we saw that more than half of the lotus stock had already been sold out,” said a trader. “By now, I’m sure it’s all gone.”
Another wholesaler, Ashish, added that the pace of sales has been unusually fast. “I don’t sit specifically in the lotus section, but from what I can see, almost the entire market is empty. That clearly shows sales are happening in large quantities.”
With demand outpacing the usual retail pattern and wholesale markets bearing the brunt of the rush, traders say the coming days will determine whether lotus prices remain stable or begin to climb.

– Smirtika Banerjee