In 2018, over 198 million roses were created for Valentine’s Day. The vast majority of those who purchased those roses might not know much about how they were grown, shipped and stored. They just noticed the huge difference in the prices that they pay at different times of the year.
Each production stages cost more as a result of the monstrous volume. It is a day holiday and so much stuff must be done that day. Flowers sent 2 days later won’t cut it. Most florists grumble that the rose’s price has dramatically increased since Christmas.
There are costs involved right from the fields to when the rose bouquets get to your friends and family. That is the reason you end up paying more than at some other time. Here’s a summary of what occurs.
- Growing
It is expensive to grow vast rose yields in winter due to an increase in energy costs since the daylight hours are shorter. To prepare for the tremendous volume of roses required by the 14th of February, the farmers need to time the development of the plants. Basically, they stop producing roses by cutting the stems so they deliver huge harvest by February fourteenth.
This means that the rose plants won’t produce full rose buds for a long time before and after the Valentines development cycle. The expense of ceasing regular production while the Valentines roses are delivered is transferred to the customers.
- Hard Labor
In order to produce roses for Valentine’s Day, farmers have to cut back the stems of rose plants reserved for the occasion. The plants that used to produce flowers regularly, won’t be able to make full rose buds for about 3 months. A lot of rosebuds were destroyed just to make 1 rose with a long stem.
The resulting harvest will create at least 3 x the usual volume of roses often picked by the farmer. So they have to hire extra temp workers to enable the full staff pick, process and pack up the roses. The expenses from the break while the roses are not in production and the additional labor are eventually passed on to the shopper.
- Expensive Transportation
It does not matter if the roses traveled via plane from Ecuador and Colombia or by truck from ranches in the United States, the requirement for cargo space increase immensely in February in prep for Valentine’s Day.
Since more planes are expected to carry the roses into the U.S., importers pay more for airship cargo as extra planes must be utilized for the extra cargo volume. Then there is also an increase in the number of trucks that florists use to move roses from the terminal, through their offices and on to the trucks increments.
This is followed by use of additional trucks and drivers to haul the roses around the nation. This additional transportation cost is also transferred to the customers. The total cost is hard to state due to the fact that every distributor and flower delivery company incurs different costs depending on the size of the company, expenses of labor and area where they are based.
- Increase in Demand
Men customarily purchase twelve red roses. That has not differed throughout the years and is not likely to change anytime soon, however, surveys demonstrate ladies like pink roses instead. To be able to offer roses at the best price, most people that own flower shops buy roses right on time, before any customer make an order. They use the number of sales from the previous year as a measure for how much flowers to order.
Do take note that florists often double the usual prices for people that want to buy Valentine roses. A couple of them never raises the prices to the degree that the wholesaler does. They can charge 7 x the usual price prior to the occasion.
- Economic factors
Various farmers, both local and international ones, closed down their businesses when the economy crumbled. Only a few farmers with the cash-flow to grow roses remained. Most farmers tried to get a loan to remain in business but banks refused to give much cash to them. They see agriculture as a high-risk business.
Another issue is that buyers in a few countries pay more for roses than the U.S., especially those in Japan, Europe, and Russia, so farmers prefer selling to them. That diminishes the supply accessible to U.S. purchasers and make roses more expensive.
It is vital for florists to stay in business so they might have no other choice than to buy the roses at exorbitant prices and sell to customers at prices that will let them strike even or make a profit.
- Custom Service
You can pay to bring down costs for red roses by buying at enormous discount stores like Costco or your nearby supermarket since they do bulk purchases.
However, you will never get at those places is unique and customized service. Regardless of whether you pick roses or different flowers, florists charge more than the huge outlet center. Florists are experts at extending the life of the rose. They start the process by cutting off the base leaves and the stems at a specific angle. Then preservatives are added. The roses are placed in warm water to expand the bud sizes. They wrap things up by making a beautiful hand bouquet – the flowers are arranged with style and elegance.
Expert Tip
To save a lot of money, place order for your Valentine’s Day flowers early in January before the prices start rising. Your partner or sweetheart will never realize that you scored a great deal, and will be awed with your sentimental gesture.
Every now and then, florists get shoppers who would prefer not to pay for the costly roses. Most help the clients to create a less expensive bundle. It is best to consider other cheap flowers, for example, freesia, tulips, Gerbera daisies, and daffodils.
For a lavish look, try utilizing just a single flower type, for example, red tulip. For a friend or family member who would love a simplistic look, purchase 3 lilies and dark rocks or even 1 nice flower. It works because it is basic and not overpowering. Try not to resemble men that prefer to overwhelm ladies with flowers.