Florists in Cambridgeshire have reported significant increases in the prices of cut flowers in recent years, raising concerns about affordability and accessibility for customers. Andrea Moat, who owns Elizabeth’s Florist in Chatteris, observed that staple flower varieties, such as chrysanthemums, have seen their prices increase as much as five-fold since the COVID-19 pandemic and Brexit. Previously, these blooms were priced around £2 a bunch, but now they reportedly cost approximately £10. This rise has caused some customers to forgo purchasing traditional flowers, particularly those used for memorials.
Bonnie Twigg, who operates Twigg and Bows in Peterborough, also noted a drastic increase in flower prices—reportedly by 130% over the past few years. She attributed some of this rise to reduced production among Dutch growers, driven by escalating energy costs across Europe. This reduction in supply has inevitably contributed to increased auction prices for flowers. According to Twigg, traditional florists struggle to compete with supermarkets on price, even though the quality of flowers they provide differs.
Leah Francombe, who runs Darling Buds of Wilburton near Ely, has observed changing consumer behavior concerning floral arrangements for events like weddings. Many clients now repurpose flower arrangements to maximize their value, a shift from the past when flowers were more prominently featured. The British Florist Association confirmed that the recent price hikes align with general inflation trends and highlighted factors such as wage increases, energy costs, and Brexit-related regulations as contributing to the higher costs.
As these trends continue, florists are adapting to changing customer preferences and economic conditions, raising questions about the future of flower purchasing in the community.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cj4y18kqwgdo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss