3 Reasons Why Rose Prices Skyrocket at Valentine's Day

We all know it's going to happen.

After all, it's happened every year in the 20 years we've been in business.

Rose prices go through the roof at Valentine's Day.

There are 3 reasons for it:

1. The grower/farm increases the price of roses.
2. Which in turn causes the wholesaler to increase their prices.
3. In the end, the florist must up their price to the consumer.

 3 pink rose bud vase

The key is that it all starts with the farms. Throughout the year, farms barely cover their costs. But they see a chance to make money when virtually everybody wants roses. And that time is Valentine's Day.

That's when the prices from the farm double!

 
We hear all the excuses from the growers. There was a cold snap. There was a heat wave. There was a drought. There was a flood.

The list of excuses goes on and on...but they really never change.

The reality is that this is the one time of the year when growers can make a profit. It's that profit that sustains the farms throughout the rest of the year.

But imagine if the florist passed this increase onto their customer...doubling their prices! It's easy to see that the rose market would disappear pretty quickly.

Yes, florists increase their prices for roses in Canada somewhat at Valentine's Day. We have to. But we certainly can't double prices for two or three weeks in February.

We florists have to hope that the volume of roses being sold will make up for smaller margins.

But there's no guarantee.

At face value the reasons for increased rose prices is simple, but it's really hard to explain to our customers.

We get flack because the florist is the face of the industry, so we bear the wrath of increased prices.

This year on Valentine's Day, Thursday February 14th...please be gentle!