Plant business in Medan struggling

Plant business in Medan struggling

Disappointment was evident in Anita Hutasoit's face. It was
already 4 p.m. but none of her plants had sold.

Then, just as she was about to pack up for the day, a sedan
traveling from Brastagi, Karo regency to Medan, stopped right in
front of her kiosk in Sibolangit district, Deli Serdang regency.

A couple got out from the car and headed straight to her
kiosk. After looking around, they bought 20 small potted cacti.

Intan, the 29-year-old customer, said she bought the cacti for
her own collection. "I like all kinds of flowers but for me,
cacti are unique due to their thorns and the variety of shapes
they come in," said the woman who was accompanied by her husband,
Herman, a Medan resident.

For Anita (right), the couple's arrival was a blessing.

The woman said her flower business had been sluggish for the
past three months. Many other flower traders, including those in
Deli Serdang, Karo and Medan regencies, have also experienced a
decline in their businesses.

She blamed the decline on many factors, including financial
constraints due to the arrival of the new school year.

"Previously, at least 500 pot plants were sold in a single
day, particularly on Saturdays and Sundays. But now, I'm lucky to
sell 100," the woman told The Jakarta Post.

The cacti are priced at Rp 5,000 each.

The 36-year-old woman said she had recently put up the price
of her cacti by Rp 1,000 per pot.

"I got these cacti from Bandung. The traders there raised the
price by around Rp 1,000 each, so I only take Rp 1,000 profit
from each plant I sell here," said the woman who has been in the
business for 10 years.

Apart from cacti she also sells various kinds of flowers, such
as euphorbias, roses and orchids, although they are more
expensive than the cacti. (JP/Apriadi Gunawan)