Diaspora demand for jasmine lifts air cargo movement

Rising demand for Madurai jasmine among the Indian diaspora in Singapore and Southeast Asian countries has helped push cargo movement at Madurai airport, with exporters increasingly using air cargo to move the GI-tagged flower and other perishables to overseas and domestic markets. Madurai: Rising demand for Madurai jasmine among the Indian diaspora in Southeast Asia, the UK, US and Canada has helped push cargo movement at Madurai and Trichy airports, with exporters saying flight timings now determine where consignments are routed.Cargo handled at Madurai airport rose 27% from 3,494 tonnes in 2024-25 to 4,444 tonnes in 2025-26. “Perishable items, including fruits, vegetables and jasmine flowers, were among the main contributors to the increase,” said airport director P Muthukumar.N Jegatheesan, a leading flower exporter who ships about 15 tonnes of flowers a week to 15 countries, said demand had increased in recent years. “We now export twice a week to the US through Madurai via Delhi and thrice a week to Canada. For Singapore, Malaysia and other Southeast Asian countries, exports happen daily, but mostly through Trichy,” he said.Exporters said about 15% of exports were sent as loose cut flowers, while the rest were tied as garlands before being shipped. Flowers reach packing units in Madurai, Usilampatti and Nilakottai in Dindigul district around 7.30am. Workers then tie garlands according to specifications given by buyers abroad before the consignments are packed and booked as air cargo.“Temples in the US ask for two-foot garlands, while those in Canada seek 2.5-foot garlands. The process takes six to eight hours. If Madurai had night international services, garlands meant for Singapore and Malaysia could also be sent from here instead of Trichy. Garlands dispatched from Madurai at night can reach overseas markets by 7am to 8am the next day. Since jasmine is highly perishable, night international services would cut storage and transit time and help preserve freshness,” Jegadeesh said.Though night operations are feasible at Madurai airport, exporters said the absence of late-night international departures limits direct cargo movement. They said demand from the US, Canada and Europe was largely handled through Madurai, while consignments to the UAE and Southeast Asia were often routed through Trichy or airports in Kerala.You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Madurai | Silver Rate in Madurai | Bank Holidays in Madurai | Public Holidays in Madurai | Madurai AQI | Weather in Madurai | Petrol Price in Madurai | Diesel Price in Madurai | CNG Price in Madurai | LPG Price in MaduraiStay updated with the latest Madurai news. Download the TOI App.