Pretty expensive: Melissa Goi (right) and Jennifer Lew arranging bouquets for the coming Valentine’s Day at the Rosemary Floral and Gift shop at Ipoh Parade. — RONNIE CHIN/The Star
IPOH: Saying it with roses this Valentine’s Day will hit your wallet even more this time.
Cameron Highlands Floriculturist Association president Lee Peng Fo said that over 80% of farmers in the highlands had switched to growing chrysanthemums in the last few years.
“So, come Valentine’s Day, roses are imported from India and China, and tulips from Holland,” he said, adding that people would need to fork out more for these blooms.
Lee said the wholesale prices of roses had doubled, since there were few farmers left in Cameron Highlands who plant roses.
“For imported flowers, I am told the wholesale price has gone up by 200% to 300%,” he added.
Usually, the wholesale price for a dozen local roses is between RM20 and RM30. A pack of 20 imported roses would range from RM50 to RM60.
Lee said farmers made the switch as the unpredictable weather made it difficult to grow roses.
For example, he said it had been raining now although the monsoon season was over.
“If it isn’t raining, it is cloudy. This happens almost daily when it should be the dry season now.”
With so much rain, he said even the chrysanthemums, sunflowers, and carnations grown here were not of such good quality.
Lee said the majority of the 200-odd farmers in Cameron Highlands resorted to planting chrysanthemum as there was a demand for it.
Flower grower P. Viswanathan estimated that about 90% of his counterparts preferred to farm chrysanthemums.
He said there was a big demand for chrysanthemums but a smaller one for local roses.
Imported roses were “controlling” the market now, he added.
“Chrysanthemums are used for all sorts of festivities like weddings, prayers and funerals. Roses are usually in demand only during special occasions like Valentine’s Day,” he said.
Rosemary Floral and Gift owner Josephine Chai said she imported roses from China and Kenya.
Roses from Kenya were much bigger in size and could last longer as well, she added.
“They can last up to 10 days. Those from China can last up to a week. But local roses can only last a few days.
“About 90% of my roses are imported. A bouquet is priced between RM100 and RM200-plus, depending on the design and if there are other additional items,” she said.
A florist in Petaling Jaya, who only wants to be known as Elaine, said that prices of roses would be 20% higher compared with last year.
Her shop, she said, had to deal with lower supplies from Cameron Highland farms.
“Since supplies are lower this year, we are importing more from countries like India, China and Kenya,” she added.
She is selling local roses at a 20% higher rate; those from China would cost 40% more.
