Abundant stock: A worker arranging colourful flowers at a floral shop in Macallum Street Ghaut, Penang. — CHAN BOON KAI/The Star
GEORGE TOWN: Beautiful imported blossoms such as tulips and lilies are cheaper now due to the strengthened ringgit, but there is little demand for them as there is currently no major festival.“Imagine getting fresh flowers by paying less for the same volume.
“A carton of imported flowers costs around 20% lower now compared with just a few months ago,” said florist Sharon Lim.
She said she had been taking the chance to buy flowers from China, India, Thailand, Holland and Kenya at lower prices.
Roses from China were plentiful and orchid supplies from Thailand were abundant, she said.
She said the upcoming Nine Emperor Gods Festival had been keeping her busy.
But aside from private events and wedding receptions, she said the lack of large-scale festivities had caused demand to dip.
As for flowers from Cameron Highlands, Lim said prices remain the same due to higher transport cost after the diesel subsidy rationalisation this year.
Another florist, Elaine Tan, also said her Cameron Highland suppliers had told her about prices remaining the same due to the transport cost.
She said currently, business was good “but not as good without special occasions like Valentine’s Day or Chinese New Year”.
“We now receive orders for funerals, birthdays and opening ceremony events,” she said.
Flowers are cheaper as well.
Tan cited the example of three stalks of roses costing RM80 instead of RM100 during Valentine’s Day.
Cameron Highlands Floriculturist Association president Lee Peng Fo said despite the stronger ringgit which led to cheaper flowers, demand did not go up.
“Most of the florists under our association experience a drop of at least 10% in orders,” he said.
Lee attributed this to a sluggish economic period, resulting in people being more careful about their spending.
However, he expects sales to bounce back during the December festive period.
