Cost of roses set to skyrocket in lead as much as Valentine’s Day after strict EU border checks trigger main hold-up
Valentine’s Day could see tired but nonetheless pricier roses – costing as much as £50 a dozen – as harsh EU border checks delay deliveries.
As the big day approaches on Friday, market experts are predicting shortages due to inspectors routinely checking delivery trucks for bugs and pests.
The flowers that do arrive in time may be considerably droopier as they pass their expiry dates in the backs of vans.
However, costs will be up as hauliers charge more for their time if they have been made to wait longer.
Nigel Jenney, of the Fresh Produce Consortium, told The Sun that the industry is trying its hardest to absorb the hefty extra costs, but the increase will almost certainly affect rose prices.
‘Lorries exporting flowers from the EU carry a mix of flower consignments, but when a lorry carrying roses is stopped for an inspection of other flowers, the whole lorry load is delayed.’
Mr Jenney warned that supply chains operating on and around Valentine’s Day could be affected.
A florist at Clapham Flowers in South London said: ‘The border checks are making things more difficult and expensive.
Valentine’s Day could see tired but nonetheless pricier roses – costing as much as £50 a dozen – as harsh EU border checks delay deliveries
The flowers that do arrive in time may be considerably droopier as they pass their expiry dates in the backs of vans
‘We’ve put in extra rose orders. We just hope we get them all.’
The Horticultural Trades Association said that some flower growers in The Netherlands – used to export £300million of roses a year to the UK, say the increased costs and border checks hassle mean it is no longer worth sending them.
And prices are climbing year on year, with the festive day getting increasingly more affordable.
Last year, one in 20 reported that they feel Valentine’s Day had become too expensive to celebrate.
Those who are happy to fork out on February 14 typically spend around £39 – although 7 per cent of them are prepared to pay between £91 and £100.
And nearly a fifth (18 per cent) of those surveyed said that they believed Valentine’s Day was over commercialised.
But one in 12 (8 per cent) said they loved the occasion because it gives them an excuse to be romantic – and 3 per cent even said it was their favourite day of the year.
