LOVED-UP Brits are being warned about a shortage of red roses and price hikes this Valentine’s Day.
The wholesale price of some stems has more than DOUBLED due to soaring energy prices hitting growers in Holland, where most of the UK’s roses are produced.
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Some growers have been unable to afford to heat greenhouses needed to rears flowers during the cold winter months.
The process of growing roses – especially the rich red ones which are popular on Valentine’s Day – requires a lot of heat.
Shipping delays and fewer flights mean fewer flowers are being imported to the UK too.
Some local florists have dropped premium red roses – including Red Naomis and Lovelaces – from their shops entirely.
It means a dozen roses could cost £40 a year, rather than £20 last year.
An estimated 250 million stems of flowers are sold globally for the most romantic day of the year.
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Kim Ratcliffe who runs Bespoke Flowers in Dagenham said: “We woke up to an email saying the growers were stopping production because of high gas prices.“
“The problem is, the demand is still going, but the supply isn’t there”.
“It meant the cheapest rose we could get was £2 per stem plus VAT, but before you could get a rose for 70 or 80p.
“We’ve still got customers who don’t mind spending the money, but at the same time it’s embarrassing saying you’re going to be paying £6 a rose.”
A spokesperson from the British Florist Association said: “Brexit implications, fuel costs and paperwork mean that your local florists are having to think ahead.
“It’s not a ploy by florists, wholesalers and growers to entice you in – it’s a genuine issue and this means that this year when the roses are sold, they’re sold!”
