Valentine’s Day flowers could cost more than ever

TAMPA - Valentine’s Day is just a few days away. An ABC Action News investigation found that you’ll probably be paying more than ever for flowers this year.

 

When it comes to Valentine’s, David Ramos is ahead of the game. The 30-year old mechanic started looking at flowers a full 10 days before Valentine’s Day. He says he’s planning far ahead so he doesn’t forget his fiancé on Valentine’s.

 

“Her personality? She’s great. I mean, she’s the best woman I’ve ever had, and she’s just loving unconditionally, caring,” Ramos said.

 

But David and pretty much everyone can expect to pay more for flowers this year. To find out why, ABC Action News investigator Michael George traveled to the source of more than 85% of the nation’s flower imports: Miami.

 

At a crowded warehouse adjacent to Miami International Airport, dozens of customs agents go over more than 270 million flowers during the Valentine’s Day season. Each and every flower needs to be inspected, because many of the flowers you buy come from countries like Ecuador and Columbia.

 

Inspectors look over and shake every flower, searching for hitchhiking bugs from South America. Thousands of pests are found every year before they end up in someone’s Valentine’s bouquet.

 

But it’s not the bugs that are driving prices up.

 

The answer came at Premium Flowers Corporation in Miami. The business houses a warehouse-sized refrigerator about the size of half a football field. Before the flowers get to your local florist, they’re stored in warehouses similar to Premium Flowers Corporation.

 

Fernando Paredes of Premium Flowers Corporation says prices are up 15% to 40% this year because of the troubled economy in South America.

 

“A lot of farms have gone out of business, unfortunately, so there’s less production,” Paredes said.

 

Extreme weather conditions in Ecuador and Columbia have also hurt production, driving up prices.

 

That means that a bouquet that cost $50 last year could cost up to $70 this year.

 

John Campbell of Jennie’s Flowers in Tampa says there are some ways to avoid the big price hikes this year. The most important one is to shop around. Despite the increased price of flowers, not every florist is passing the costs on to the consumer.

 

Campbell also recommends you be flexible. You may have your heart set on roses (the most popular variety of flowers), but as stores sell out of big-selling items, prices go up.

 

Fernando Paredes says carnation prices have come down lately, and might make a good (and affordable) Valentine’s gift. Roses, in particular, are becoming scarcer and more expensive this year.

 

Simple arrangements cost a considerable amount less than complex arrangements with multiple types of flowers.

 

Also, you can save yourself about $10 if you opt to deliver the flowers yourself, instead of having the store deliver them.

 

Finally, prices often go up the closer we get to Valentine’s. The earlier you order your flowers, the cheaper they will be. With only a few days to go before the holiday, that might be difficult, but keep in mind that Valentine’s falls on a Monday this year. That means the weekend rush will be pretty hectic. If you are able to place your order on Friday, that might save you a few bucks.

 

“The quicker you get your order in, the better off you’re going to be, price wise. Wait till the last minute, you’re probably going to end up paying a lot more,” said Paredes.

 

But David Ramos is willing to pay a few extra bucks this year, as long as its something his fiancé will remember.

 

“It’s worth it. I mean, I love her. Hopefully, soon, I’ll be marrying her,” Ramos said.