Hosur farmers have chosen the domestic market over exports this Valentine’s Day. For the first time ever, the price for a red rose stem in India is ₹10 higher than the export price. Domestic prices stand at ₹30 to ₹35 per stem, while export prices lingered between ₹22 and ₹24. Production fell sharply, causing prices to rise locally. "In Hosur region, production dropped by 45% due to extreme cold. There was an increase in blind shoots or water shoots, where buds fail to emerge," said Bala Siva Prasad, president of Hosur Small Farmers Association and former Director, National Horticulture Board. At Bengaluru's International Flower Auction Centre, red rose bunches of 20 stems sold for ₹600, with premium roses fetching ₹1,100 a bunch. The highest price per stem hit ₹52. Online platforms like Ferns and Petals, Blinkit, Zepto, and Phoolwala bought 10 to 12 lakh stems, greatly boosting domestic sales. The floriculture capacity in Hosur dropped to 70 lakh stems from 80 lakh to 1 crore stems, with only 10 lakh stems exported. Farmers and exporters are finding more profit at home. "For the last 15 days, the price per stem was ₹30 and higher. There is no reason to export," said Dhivya Shree from DS NTR Flora, Thally, noting that they usually export 40,000 flowers on Valentine’s Day but directed their stock domestically this year. The booming wedding season also pushed domestic demand higher. Despite global demand from Malaysia, Singapore, and West Asia, the high local prices and easy cash sales at home have made exports less attractive. However, Mr. Prasad warned that too high prices might push customers to artificial flowers, a shift hard to reverse once it starts. "On the online platform, one stem of red rose is sold at ₹500," he added, highlighting changing trends in flower sales.