Valentine’s Day 2026: Nepal to Import 70% of Roses

This year, around 70 percent of roses for Valentine’s Day in Nepal are expected to be imported from India, according to the Floriculture Association of Nepal (FAN). During the Valentine’s week, the demand is estimated at 450,000 rose sticks, with 270,000 sticks consumed in the Kathmandu Valley and 180,000 sticks in other districts.

The association highlighted that only about 30 percent of the demand can be met by domestic production, while the remaining 70 percent will have to rely on imports. However, due to government-imposed criteria for rose import aimed at controlling disease risks, formal imports may be limited. FAN Secretary General Hiramani Sharma mentioned that traders might bring roses in informally to meet the market demand.

The estimated trade value of roses during the week is NPR 56.2 million, with prices ranging from NPR 100 to NPR 150 per stick, depending on quality. Domestic production of roses is limited due to Nepal’s winter season in February, which coincides with Valentine’s Day. Roses can flourish only in high-tech greenhouses during winter, which are expensive and not widely available in the country.

According to Sharma, 60 percent of the total market demand will be in the Kathmandu Valley, and the remaining 40 percent in other cities. Last year, although the projected demand was 350,000 sticks, 412,000 sticks were sold, totaling about NPR 40 million in trade.

In 2025, domestic production accounted for only 8.5 percent of consumption, while imported roses made up 91.5 percent. Roses are mainly grown commercially in Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Bhaktapur, Chitwan, Kavrepalanchok, and Rupandehi, with other districts gradually expanding rose cultivation.

Nepal remains dependent on imported roses during winter, while domestic production can meet demand mainly in the summer season.