Rose sales jumped substantially in the lead-up to Valentine’s Day today (Feb 14), and so did their prices at the Chai Nat municipal market.
There, the prices were almost doubling overnight, jumping from B10-15 apiece on Thursday to B15-30 per flower on Friday.
Sunan Klinkularb, 54, a flower shop owner at the market, said she bought a bunch of 20 roses for resale at B500. She must sell at above B25 per rose if she is going to make any profit.
“The price per bunch has gone through the roof this year," she said, adding that on Valentine’s Day last year, an entire bunch was priced at B30.
The roses packaged in a bouquet command even steeper prices, at around B120 apiece.
Ms Sunan said the colder-than-usual weather in many rose farms has depressed yields, pushing up retail prices.
“It’s the highest rose prices in 20 years of running my business,” she said.
Another flower shop owner said prices would be kept low for customers. The shop owner plans to sell locally grown roses at between B10-15 and imported roses at B50 each.
Sunflowers are proving a popular replacement as they symbolise steadfast love.