ILOILO City – With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, flower prices here are experiencing a significant increase, as demand for blooms surges ahead of the February 14 celebration.
Florists across the city, including Margie, a shop owner at the Iloilo Central Market, reported a steady rise in flower reservations.
“We’ve been receiving numerous reservations since a week ago, and some customers are even buying in advance,” she said.
The price hike is largely attributed to higher costs from suppliers. For instance, the price of a single rose has risen from P40 to P100 per stem.
Margie also noted that many customers are opting for flower sets such as bouquets or flowers with teddy bears and/or chocolates.
Vendor Linda, who sells flowers in front of the Jaro Metropolitan Cathedral, confirmed the growing influx of buyers, particularly those from office groups placing reservations.
She also observed a trend among Gen Z customers, who are choosing single-stem roses paired with dried flowers, priced between P200 and P250, depending on the additional items.
Here are the current flower prices:
* Rose – P100 per stem
* bouquet (half dozen roses with accents) – P700
* Mums – P100 per stem; P350 per bundle
* Carnation – P50 per stem
* Gerbera – P50 per stem
* Orchid – P500 per stem
* Alstroemeria – P250 per bundle / dozen
* Anthurium – P700 (large), P650 (small)
* Gemba – P250 per stem
* Golden Rose – P100 per stem
* Sunflower – P250 per stem
Vendors are bracing for an even busier day on Valentine’s Day as last-minute shoppers are expected to flock to flower stalls to purchase gifts for their loved ones./PN
