The Flower Industry Australia chief executive, Anna Jabour, estimates that, pre-Covid, 10m red roses were imported into Australia every Valentine’s Day. This year, however, she says, things are different.
“What I’ve heard from every rose grower I’ve spoken to is that they’re run off their feet,” she says. “It’s really brilliant to hear.”
When contacted by Guardian Australia, a rose grower and florist in the Sydney suburb of Dural said: “We are flat out doing orders for Valentine’s Day.”
However Jabour says “the impact of Covid on the local growers industry is different for everyone”.
Valentine s Day heartbreak possible for people wanting red roses, growers warn
ThuThursday 11
updated
ThuThursday 11
FebFebruary 2021 at 9:58am
The supply of roses in Victoria this Valentine s Day is down about 30 per cent, growers say.
(
Share
Print text only
Cancel
Every year, in the lead up to February 14, the flower industry prepares a flurry of orders as red rose sales surge.
But this Valentine s Day wholesalers and farmers have warned they will not be able to meet the demand because the pandemic has hit supplies from local growers and overseas imports.
Key points:
Some farmers in Victoria say the cooler summer temperatures have led to a late bloom