Abstract
The devastating impact of COVID-19 on the flower sector in India is visible even in regions where the virus has not affected people. This has been caused by the complete prostration of the market as a result of the nationwide lockdown in the wake of the pandemic. The Departments of Horticulture in some provinces are starting to undertake surveys to assess the losses in this sector. A detailedCOVID-19 impact assessment urgently needed on the floriculture sector. This article discusses some of the impacts of floriculture lockdowns. It also addresses the blows of the economic slowdown on agriculture
Highlights
On the wholesale price indices (WPI) for selected crop classes, available only until February 2020, that while WPI for food items has risen since August 2019, the increase has been driven by a rise in vegetable prices; on vegetables, the price of onions, followed by potato and tomato, has pushed the WPI up
India’s flower market withers due to the Covid-19 pandemic: Discussion The devastating impact of COVID19 on the flower sector in India is visible even in areas where the virus has not affected people. This has been caused by the complete crash of the market as a result of the nationwide lockdown in the wake of the pandemic
The Government of India (GoI)‟s decision to partially open retail shops from 25 April 2020 with some restrictions will help restart the supply chain though to a limited extent; some states like West Bengal have allowed flower markets to open for fewer hours
Summary
It is significant to note that the Indian economy was facing a rise in food prices even before the Covid pandemic started. On the wholesale price indices (WPI) for selected crop classes, available only until February 2020, that while WPI for food items has risen since August 2019, the increase has been driven by a rise in vegetable prices; on vegetables, the price of onions, followed by potato and tomato, has pushed the WPI up. While the price of onions has plummeted, vegetable prices have remained high even in February 2020.According to the RBI‟s, 7-the bimonthly monetary policy statement of 27 March 2020: „As far as inflation is concerned, the January and February 2020 prints indicate that the actual results for the quarter are 30 bps higher than projected, reflecting the price shock of the onion‟. Food consumer price indices (CPIs) indicate a similar trend towards a rise after August 2019, with some weakening in January and February 2020
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
