Jasmine fields in many townships in Hengzhou, Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region were flooded as a result of Typhoon Maysak. [Photo/VCG]
Hengzhou, Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, the country's largest jasmine production hub, has been hit by severe flooding, disrupting flower markets and raising concerns over supplies for the booming tea and coffee beverage sector in the country.
Hengzhou is home to more than 12,000 hectares of jasmine plantations, producing more than 150,000 metric tons of fresh jasmine flowers annually and accounting for more than 80 percent of the country's total output.
The floods submerged large areas of farmland, disrupting harvesting and sending jasmine prices on sharp swings.
The jasmine market price fluctuations have been like a roller-coaster ride. Data showed that the average jasmine price stood at 15.89 yuan ($2.33) per 500 grams on July 4. On July 5, prices dropped to 7.78 yuan but by July 12, prices had surged to about 50 yuan.
