There WILL be Valentine roses, some cheaper than '21!
There is no doubt that the post-Brexit organisation has been a complete cock-up! I cannot count the number of times I have harrumphed over the latest stupidity … whatever sector it applies too.
However headlines stating a possible red rose shortage at Valentine’s are, at best, misleading, at worst scaremongering to create click bait stories or – dare I say it - designed to preface price rises by suppliers.
None of which is good in my opinion and why I was less than impressed by the Dutch wholesale association penning a letter to the UK Government requesting yet another delay. A letter that has (can’t imagine how!!) been picked up by several UK national newspapers with shock horror headlines saying that red rose supply is potentially at risk. Oh yes, and been used by some MP’s as a way of having a go at Government. Don’t mind them having a go (politicians all over the world are fair game in my book) but not when it’s based on pish posh!
Yes, I totally get that the new systems are irritating and require extra layers of paperwork. And the UK organisation of the process … which has been delayed a whopping five times in three years … does seem a disgrace although - and again because fairness matters - I am also hearing some fairly tetchy comments about some EU systems too!
But, behind all the clickbait headlines there are some truths that aren’t being shared and that worries me.
You see a lot of the change is due to a bio-security policy that is being addressed the world over. However only five flowers** are in the medium risk category and roses aren’t one of them.
What's more a huge number of roses come from outside Europe (like South America and Africa) and are simply not affected by the new rules. Yes, I am keeping an eye on things like political unrest (who would have thought Houthi rebels could impact on the flower industry) and weather conditions (El Nino will last till April apparently) but currently those supply lines are looking fine.
This ‘new’ system has been known about for a long time and most wholesalers (be it Dutch or UK based) have either already got their head around it or are in the process of making changes for April when the physical inspections start; including becoming approved inspection zones themselves, so they won’t need to use the much-ridiculed external sites.
Some of the excuses for possible price hikes have absolutely nothing to do with the inspections and everything to do with energy costs, transport and wage rises; factors which are being felt the world over … not just in the UK.
And, having spoken personally with several wholesalers both in the UK and the Netherlands absolutely no-one was concerned. Yes, they could all do without the extra hassle/paperwork/additional staff/time requirements but in terms of cost several said we were talking less than a penny a stem - if that.
So, given many red rose prices are actually down on last year (in the case of Naomi one wholesaler told me they were currently 10% lower than 2021), the cost implication is not a cause for major headaches.
And if there are any red rose shortages, at this stage it will more likely be in the 50/60cm categories simply because that’s the length the online players and supermarkets MUST have to fit their squitty little bunches in the boxes/on the shelves but it's not worrying me either!
Because whilst bespoke florists will need a lower value offering personally I don’t think any self-respecting florist should ever consider a 50/60cm rose for their luxury ranges – especially as the price difference to buy a gorgeous 70/80cm rose and create real, awesome wow factor - in a way no one else can - is relatively little! Far better to offer a completely different offering – maybe tulips/carnations etc – than a short stemmed, small headed rose because peaks are a time to shine, not look like a supermarket copycat.
Like I say I hate the whole post-Brexit mess but equally I wouldn’t want any florist worrying unnecessarily. Yes I do think everyone should have their orders placed ASAP (it will help wholesalers plan as they will be handling zillions of flowers) but when it comes to roses - actually all flowers - I am pretty darned confident that if you order the right ones and – as I have been saying for over four years – build in a 24-hour buffer zone to cover all eventualities (which, to be honest, are mostly ferry delays caused by strikes and storms) you’ll be just fine whatever the headlines say!
You see Wednesday is traditionally the best day for St Valentine’s. And, whilst it’s not a case of love knowing no bounds, it’s fair to say Valentine’s is perhaps less price sensitive than other peaks and very good for grand displays of affection. So along with all those luxurious, oh so long dozens don’t be afraid to show you can do a supersized,100-stem bouquet at £500 or a massive mix of flowers at £250 – because you never know who is out there looking to make the grand gesture!!
In other words ignore the scary headlines and focus on the love to make the most of it!
Kind regards,
** Ed’s Note: According to the Defra site these are the medium risk flowers Orchidaceae, Dendranthema (although confess I thought they had dropped that name years ago and were back to Chrysanthemum), Dianthus (not clear if they are referring to carnation or Sweet William), Gypsophila and Solidago). If you are interested, you can read all about B-TOM using this link.
Border Target Operating Model (TOM) - UK Plant Health Information Portal (defra.gov.uk)
