While people are hoping to spoil their loved ones on February 14, it looks like this year’s Valentine’s Day will be more expensive than usual. Florists across North Texas have warned that this year’s flower selection is slim. Hence, whatever flower is available will cost more than the regular price.
The shortage of flowers is not limited to florists in Texas alone. It is an anticipated global issue as Daily Mail Online reports that experts have issued warnings that customers might have to pay up to $140 for a dozen roses.
A wholesale flower company in Irving said that getting flowers has been more complicated than usual this year. Botanical Wholesale Florist, one of the largest wholesale companies in Texas, said its employees are working nonstop to ensure that it can keep up with orders as February 14 comes with the highest demand for flowers.
Florists also cited problems in transportation as an additional reason for the increase in flower costs.
Adres Ochoa, general manager at Botanica, said that the companies source 70% of its flowers from Ecuador and Colombia. She explained that the company is paying 50% more on freight than it did last year because the costs of getting the products transported have skyrocketed.
With the increase in the cost of acquiring the flowers and getting them transported, Ochoa said the company will have to increase its prices.
According to FOX 4 News, the owner of The Floral Eclectic, another flower company based in Dallas, complained about the rising costs of fresh flowers and how hard it is to get the flower variety they need. Due to these challenges, Taylor Doyle will be offering dried flower arrangements for Valentine’s Day this year.
Doyle urges customers to be patient and understanding when told that their specific flower choice is not available. She, however, assured customers that they definitely will get something beautiful even if they do not find their particular preference. “We’re going to make it look as beautiful, if not more beautiful, than what you imagined in the first place,” she said.
Doyle will not be the only florist to find alternatives ahead of Valentine’s Day. According to Daily Mail Online, disruptions to international freight have led some florists to choose to offer native varieties instead of roses.
