‘I have been associated with the floral industry for 30 years, but have never seen such a shortage of flowers. The problem also comes at a time when there is a huge demand for events like wedding season and Valentine’s Day…” says Bob Conti, partner at Ed Libby Events, an American floral design company.
There are about 2.5 million weddings to be held in America this season. People are ready to spend millions of dollars. Conti says that there are no white flowers and special roses used exclusively in weddings. Nor are they expected to meet.
People taking candles, but it’s not their choice,
Conti says that we are not able to promise people. Alternative plants and candles are used instead of flowers. But people are rarely liking this. Rishi Patel, chief creative officer of HMR Design in New York, says, “Earlier, flowers could not be found due to natural disasters, then arrangements were made from other places or countries. Just had to spend a little more. But this time there is a shortage in the world.
Patel says that even if white flowers are hardly available, the price has increased from 25% to 50%. A rose worth Rs 125 is being sold for Rs 250. Patrick Dalson, who does business in 11 US states, says that the problem of transportation has also increased due to the lack of drivers. Due to less international flights, problems are also facing in ordering from outside. Due to this, many times flowers have to be kept in cold storage, after a long time they are no longer useful.
The price of flowers in India has increased by 20%, but there is no problem
in the supply of flowers in India. Arjun Kumar, who is associated with the business of flowers in Delhi, says that the prices of flowers have increased by 20%. In the outskirts of Bangalore, 4 to 5 lakh rose flowers are found daily. A large number of KR go to the market to be sold. Wholesaler Abdul Razak says that there is some problem of supply, that is why the prices have increased.
