Why are flowers so expensive at the moment?!

Flowers are undoubtedly a luxury product, usually reserved for gifts and special occasions. At the moment, however, the wholesale price of flowers is at an unprecedented level and this cost is showing in the retail price, however much florists try to absorb some of the cost within their profit margin.

Flower price rises are attributable to a number of topical causes and reflect general price rises in other industries:

• BREXIT has resulted in increased import costs (in particular, the importing wholesaler pays a significantly higher tax on flowers from outside the UK)

• COVID-19 created a supply and demand problem: in 2020, growers had to burn vast quantities of flowers due to a seismic drop in demand. COVID affected growers' confidence but also their physical ability to grow flowers for 2021. Recently, demand for flowers has increased significantly. In particular, demand for wedding flowers has been very high and the reduced supply could not meet demand.

• Transport costs: the current problems with driver shortage has been well documented in the news. This affects the flower industry as much as any other.

• Extreme weather: there has been significant flooding in Europe this summer and unprecedented weather in other parts of the flower growing world (e.g. snow in Equador) which has affected the number of flowers being harvested and the quality of some flowers.

• Season: as we move into Autumn and the weather cools in the Northern Hemisphere, more flowers will be grown in heated greenhouses. Rising electricity prices will be passed on in flower price hikes.

The seemingly obvious answer for florists in the UK is to use more British flowers. At present, however, demand for UK-grown flowers vastly outstrips supply. There are also difficulties with inclement weather (and the resultant need for heated glasshouses with environmental and financial cost implications), labour shortage and inadequate infrastructure.

My solution for the time being is to look at using more affordable flowers in inventive ways to create lovely bouquets. As Winter approaches, I will be using UK-grown foliage more, to create larger and long-lasting floral products. Watch this space!