Long before wedding lights are switched on and cameras begin to roll, the work starts quietly in Karnataka’s floriculture belts. At dawn, workers harvest roses and cut flowers grown around Bengaluru, packing
them carefully for journeys across India.
This season, many of those blooms are expected to feature at one of the most talked about weddings in the country, that of Rashmika Mandanna and Vijay Deverakonda. For growers, such high-profile weddings mark the peak of the floriculture calendar, when demand surges and logistics move at full speed.
Why Domestic Demand Has Overtaken Exports
In previous years, Karnataka’s roses were flown overseas in large numbers during Valentine’s Day season. This year, exporters say international shipments have dropped sharply due to rising air freight costs, the withdrawal of government subsidies, and an 18 percent GST on flower exports.
As a result, growers expect only around 10 lakh roses to be exported this season, compared to the usual 40 to 50 lakh. The domestic market has absorbed the rest, with strong demand from cities such as Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Chennai, and Goa.
Bengaluru Flowers Power Weddings Across India
Beyond major metros, demand has also grown in newer markets like Jharkhand and Assam. Wedding planners and decorators across the country rely heavily on flowers sourced from Karnataka, particularly for large scale celebrations.
Speaking to media on this, Flower Council of India president Srikanth Bollepalli said, “In weddings held anywhere in India, cut flowers are sent from Bengaluru. In the same way, this year flowers from Karnataka will be sent for the wedding of actress Rashmika Mandanna and actor Vijay Deverakonda.”
More Than Just Roses
While Dutch roses remain popular, growers say demand is rising for a wider range of cut flowers used in wedding decor. Varieties such as Celosia, Snapdragon, Trachelium, and Delphinium are increasingly preferred for their colours and clustered arrangements.
These flowers often cost more than roses but are favoured for their visual impact in large venues. Despite cold mornings and hot afternoons, flower production in Karnataka has increased by about 5% this year due to favourable yields.
A Rs 5000 Crore Industry at Its Peak
Karnataka is India’s largest floriculture hub, with an annual turnover of around Rs 5000 crore. The 45-day peak period during January and February alone contributes close to Rs 1000 crore, driven largely by weddings and festivals.
Growers say celebrity weddings bring visibility, but the real impact is economic. Orders rise sharply, transport networks stay busy, and thousands of workers across farms, packing units, and logistics chains see steady employment during this period.
When Celebrations Keep Flowers Close to Home
This season, Karnataka’s flowers may travel fewer kilometres abroad, but they are finding pride of place at celebrations across India. As Bengaluru grown blooms prepare to decorate a marquee wedding, growers say the shift toward domestic demand has helped steady the industry at a crucial time.
