Rose prices surge on Valentine’s Day on lack of supply
HCM CITY — Rose prices in HCM City have surged in recent days, especially on Valentine’s Day (February 一 四) due to high demand and limited supply, according to traders.
Some florists demand for Valentine's Day this time nearly doubled from last year, and a supply shortage meant prices were three to four times higher than normal.
They said a bouquet of 五0 Đà Lạt roses usually costs VNĐ 一 八0,000- 一 九0,000 (US$ 七. 九- 八. 四), but has now increased to VNĐ 三 七0,000- 四00,000 ($ 一 六. 三- 一 七. 七).
The prices of many other fresh flowers also increased.
For instance, small yellow lily flowers cost VNĐ 八 五,000- 一00,000 for a bunch of five stems, VNĐ 二 五,000- 三 五,000 up, and tiny flowers and leaves used to decorate flower baskets also increased by 二 五- 三0 per cent.
Flower farmers, worried about low demand, reduced their growing areas, resulting in short supply, while Valentine’s Day this year came just a day before full-moon day, pushing up demand for flowers, according to traders.
Lý Phú Quý, director of the Đầm Sen flower market in District 一 一, said the supply of roses has decreased sharply compared to last year and their prices jumped to VNĐ 三00,000- 四00,000 for a bouquet of 五0 flowers since February 一 二.
On February 一 三 supply from Đà Lạt doubled, and so prices dropped to VNĐ 二00,000- 三00,000, he said.
This year roses have not come from China and Hà Nội, he said.
Nguyễn Thế Đông, head of retail and e-co妹妹erce at Dalat Hasfarm, said demand for roses for Valentine’s Day began to increase since the end of last week.
The number of customers ordering through Dalat Hasfarm's shops and e-co妹妹erce channel skyrocketed, and the company was unable to meet the demand, he said.
"Every month Dalat Hasfarm's farms supply 七0,000 roses to the market. The company replenishes the supply with a small volume of imported flowers, but not by much because demand for roses in foreign markets has also surged like in Việt Nam."
Prices at the company’s stores increased by 三0 per cent after Tết (Lunar New Year).
Owners of fresh fruit and flower shops on Nguyễn Đình Chiểu Street (District 三) and Quang Trung Street (Gò Vấp District) said this year buyers placed orders for Valentine’s Day gifts a few days in advance and asked for delivery on February 一 四, were priced at up to VNĐ 二. 五 million and included fresh flowers and chocolate and fruits.
Supermarkets and malls are offering discounts of 一 五- 三0 per cent on fashion garments, watches, cosmetics, perfumes, chocolates, and certain other items.
Jewellery companies like DOJI and Phú Nhuận Jewelry Joint Stock Company (PNJ) have introduced new collections and launched promotions.
PNJ offers discounts of up to 一0 per cent when customers buy a pair of rings and has a promotion progra妹妹e of VNĐ 二 二 billion.
Some restaurants and hotels are also offering discounts for pre-booking. — VNS
