As many as 5.2 million roses were exported to 25 countries from Bengaluru Airport ahead of Valentine’s Day. “About 325 tonnes (325,000 kg) of roses in the form of 5.2 million stems were exported to 36 destinations in 25 countries between February 1 and 14,” the Bengaluru International Airport Ltd (BIAL) said in February. The roses from Karnataka were exported to Malaysia, Kuwait, Singapore, Japan, the US, the UK, South Korea, the Netherlands and New Zealand among others. The export of roses had risen by at least by 10 per cent with 293 tonnes (4.7 million roses) exported last year to 15 countries during the first two weeks in February ahead of Valentine’s Day on February 14. “This year, we have witnessed an increase in the number of destinations the roses have been exported to,” said the Managing Director of BIAL Hari Marar. Malaysia, Kuwait and Singapore were among the top three importers. Karnataka is a major state in flower production in the country. India exported USD 82 million (about Rs 525 crore) worth of flowers globally in 2016-17. The state is popular for its varieties of roses like Dutch roses (bright red roses), noblesse (reddish pink roses) and gold strike (yellow roses). During February and March, millions of roses from the state are exported to various countries to be sold for Valentine’s Day, Chinese New Year (on February 16) and International Women’s Day (March 8).