The country's flower exporters are in a quandary as they are yet to receive the full payment for their shipments and the agency facilitating the export of agri products, Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), is not even aware of the problem. | |
| Flower exports till January in FY07 stood at Rs 350.1 crore, which is 98 per cent of the Rs 356 crore fixed for the entire financial year. However, default in payment for last financial year's exports is likely to adversely affect fresh shipments. The season for flower exports is between October and February. |
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| "We have received only 50 per cent of the total payment due to us. We are yet to receive the remaining amount even after four months," Chander Saraogi of Pune-based flower exporter Val Plus Biotech said. |
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| When questioned APEDA Chairman K S Money said, "I am not aware of it. If there is payment default, I will certainly look into it." Expressing his concern on the issue, Money said APEDA is only a facilitator while the contract is between the exporter and importer. |
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| Saraogi said out of the 50 per cent of the payment received so far, nearly 40 per cent was spent on air freight, which is subsidised up to 20 per cent by APEDA. |
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| While flower exporters said there was a 20 per cent rejection of Indian roses exported to Europe in 2007 Valentine's season due to quality concerns, APEDA chairman said the rejection has come down substantially as exporters have become quality conscious now. |
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| Some exporters also said they were informed about the rejection of flowers only after three months, whereas it should have been done in 15 days. |
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| "The jump in flower exports is the proof that Indian exporters have realised the quality aspect," Money said. |
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| Flower exports from the country jumped by 43 per cent to Rs 350.1 crore during the April-January period in 2006-07 against Rs 244.87 crore in the corresponding period last year, according to APEDA. |
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| The total floriculture products, including fruit and vegetable seeds, rose by 42 per cent to Rs 434.91 crore from Rs 307.73 crore in the review period. The government has set a target of Rs 1,000 crore export revenue by 2010. |
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