Flower prices seen to increase ahead of Valentine’s Day

MANILA, Philippines —  Flower prices in Dangwa, Manila are poised to increase as Valentine’s Day approaches.

Some shops in Manila’s mainstream market for wholesale and retail flowers retained this week's prices as of writing.

However, according to some vendors, flower prices might double or triple next week, citing the anticipated high demand and steep prices of suppliers.

“Kapag ganyan po kasing mag okasyon mahal din talaga puhunan ng mga may bulaklak (suppliers),” Mira, the owner of Julis and Carol flower shop, said in an interview with Philstar.com

(When occasions like these happen, the capital investment for flower suppliers really increases too.)

“Hindi naman pwedeng mahal namin nakukuha tas mura namin ibebenta,” she added. 

(We can't acquire it at a steeper price and then sell it an affordable price.)

The following are the estimated flower prices surge next week, according to vendors:

• Paper Roses (bundle of 14): P650 to P700
• Baguio Roses (per stem): P50 to P100
• China Roses (per stem): P60 to P110
• Ecuadorian Roses (per stem): P70 to P120
• Carnation (bundle of 10): P200 to P250 
• Sunflower (per stem): P70 to P150
• Gerbera (10 or more): P190 to P350
• Tulips (per stem): P190 to P400
• Malaysian mums (bundle of 10):  P100 to P180
• Flower fillers: P40 to P80

Aside from the flower prices, various flower shops have different charges for their arrangements, referred to as labor fees. 

These fees range from P50 to P200 depending on the complexity of the arrangement. 

Meanwhile, the price of an arranged flower bouquet ranges from P500 to P700.

However, vendors said that the price of a bouquet is expected to increase from P1000 to P2000 depending on the arrangement.

Cheaper bouquets

Some flower resellers outside Dangwa take advantage of the cheap flower prices before Valentine’s Day to sell flower bouquets at a lower price.

Rein, a student from a university in Manila, bought different kinds of flowers before the surge in prices next week to sell cheaper bouquets.

“Naisip ko na magtinda ng flowers kasi dangwa is just around the corner and natutuwa talaga ako sa flower arranging,” Rein said in an interview with Philstar.com.

(I thought of selling flowers because Dangwa is just around the corner and I'm fond of flower arrangement)

She sells her bouquets with different flower variations and designs for P489. 

The bouquets she sells are significantly priced lower than the flowers arranged in Dangwa.

However, she does not consider herself a competitor of the flower vendors in Dangwa as her target market are those who cannot go to the Manila-based flower market.

“Mostly ang nabentahan ko talaga ay from Batangas and Nueva Ecija pa. (Mostly, I have sold flowers to those from Batangas and Nueva Ecija.) Those who clearly don't have access to Dangwa,” she said.