A file photo of varieties of rose flowers brought by farmers for auction and distribution in Bengaluru.
| Photo Credit: Sudhakara Jain
The Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) in Bengaluru shipped around 60 million (6 crore) rose stems, weighing more than 2,700 metric tonnes (MT), to 26 international and 47 domestic destinations this Valentine’s season.
“This marks a 38% year-on-year increase in stem volumes, and a 64% rise in tonnage, reinforcing the airport’s position as India’s leading gateway for perishable exports for five consecutive years,” according to the Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL).
International shipments remained steady at 305 MT with Singapore emerging as the top overseas destination, followed by Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), Abu Dhabi (UAE), New York (US), and Kuwait.
New international destinations added this season include Los Angeles, Dallas Fort Worth, Orlando in the US, London Gatwick (UK), and Toronto (Canada).
On the domestic front, 2,402 MT of roses were transported, recording a 79% year-on-year increase in tonnage.
“Delhi and Kolkata continued to anchor demand while Guwahati, Mumbai and Jaipur maintained strong throughput. Notably, Kolkata, Mumbai, Chandigarh and Lucknow recorded over 150% growth compared to last season,” BIAL stated.
The momentum was supported by expanded cargo infrastructure of KIA while ensuring freshness, speed, and temperature precision.
BIAL stated the state-of-the-art cold chain facilities, equipped with real-time tracking and advanced technology, safeguard every shipment, proactively managing temperature fluctuations for seamless storage, handling, and transport.
Published – February 17, 2026 12:10 pm IST
