Why are flowers so expensive?

If you're paying attention to business news at all right now, you're hearing about inflation and supply chain issues. Wouldn't it be nice to be able to say that these things don't affect your business? Unfortunately, they do...and it looks like these issues will be with us for quite some time to come.

So, if you're wondering WHY flower prices are so high right now, keep reading. (Feel free to share this info with your clients—education is good for all of us!)

THE REASONS:

STAFFING

COVID lockdowns created a pause in the floral industry and the process to get caught up takes months. The growers had to pull out their crops because they did not have the staff to keep them alive. The lack of staffing was a huge issue in the floral industry that caused immediate damage. Millions of flowers went to waste because of this sudden halt in production. Temporary lockdowns and international flight cancellations led to flower exports to drop. With growers having nowhere to ship flowers at the start of the pandemic, they were forced to trash their blooms. Unfortunately this led to some going out of business while others chose to plant more conservatively, which means less flowers in the future. And now farmers are playing catch-up which takes time.

DEMAND

Demand for flowers has skyrocketed since the start of the pandemic. Everyone was looking for something to cheer themselves and their families up and flowers became the go-to gift. People turned to flowers to send to loved ones they couldn't see in person, as well as using in their own homes to brighten up their quarantine spaces. No one was working the crops and the process to get those crops up and running again takes time. The flowers that were still available had an increase in price because there was no where else to buy flowers. Demand outstripped supply for months.

SUPPLY

The lack of staff and the high demand for flowers caused a huge issue for supply. There weren't enough mother plants so not enough new crops could be started. The lack of staff caused the stop in production which created the drop in supply. With no staff and no crops there just was no supply for the demand. Along with the shortage of flowers there's been a shortage of vases, baskets and other supplies. This is one of the greatest supply chain disruptions in decades.

WEATHER

Production has slowed down due to global bad weather. Droughts and storms, extreme hot and cold, fires - all of these played a role in the halt in flower production. Growing regions were experiencing this extreme weather all over the world which slowed down the growing process and rendered many crops unusable. These factors determine what's available, which then defines the prices for the international market.

SCHEDULING

As lockdowns began to be lifted and states began to open back up, weddings and events have returned in full force. Two years worth of postponed weddings and events are happening in one. Flower demand is huge and the supply has not been able to catch up to the volume of these events.

INFLATION

Raw costs have gone up. Root plants to cardboard, paper to vases...it's all costing more. Other products and industries have experienced rising costs as well, which affects our industry. Most notably transportation costs.

TRANSPORTATION

Transport costs have quadrupled, delivery rates are at a premium and drivers are in high demand. There's also a truck driver shortage which doesn't help the situation. Flowers are generally shipped in cargo passenger planes but because of the lockdown there's been a reduction in the amount of cargo space available.

SOME SOLUTIONS:

While there's not much we can do to speed up mother nature, there are some ways to handle these challenges.

TRUST US

When looking for flowers to buy, go with the florists choice. This allows your local florist to use their 'pick of the day' to give you the best value for money. The florist can create something beautiful with what they're given. They're the experts and will know what to do when dealing with these situations.

SUBSTITUTIONS

Being flexible with substitutions is something a lot of us have been adjusting to once the pandemic took over. We understand how disappointing it is when you can't work with your favorite blooms, but this shortage doesn't mean there are zero flowers left. There are still plenty of beautiful options that can be subbed for many popular flowers. Trust your sales rep and let them use their creativity and expertise. The flowers used may not be the same variety but they will be the same color, shape and they'll be gorgeous.

ORDER AHEAD

Get your orders in early. We can't stress this enough. Ordering in advance is always a good idea especially when it comes to flowers. If there's a specific flower you want the best option is to order early. The earlier you order the better chance you'll have of getting that specific flower. It doesn't necessarily guarantee that the flower you want will be available but the chances are higher if you order months in advance rather than weeks or days. A last minute order might leave you stuck with a simple, generic bouquet. We understand ordering in advance does not guarantee that your entire order will be filled but it does give you a better chance of securing those coveted event blooms in such high demand.

THINK DIFFERENTLY

There are many different color palettes to choose from and going with something outside the box is a great idea. No matter what colors you go with your florist will create a beautiful piece for you. Trust your florists design skills and aesthetic.