BAGUIO CITY — The prices of flowers being sold here have doubled one week before the observance of All Saints’ Day.
“Manang Azon”, a flower stall owner at Harrison Road, said the increase in prices of flowers is triggered by the demand, brought about by the upcoming observance of “Undas”, when Filipinos visit the tomb of their departed loved ones.
She said that as of Wednesday morning, long stemmed and big petal roses are sold at PHP250 a dozen, which was only PHP100 a week ago.
Chrysanthemum is sold from PHP250 to PHP300 a dozen from PHP150 to PHP180 last week.
Malaysian mums are averaging PHP150 to PHP180 a dozen from PHP100 to PHP150-180 a week ago.
Alstroemerias are now PHP60 a dozen from PHP40; Aster, PHP50 from PHP40; Carnation still at PHP350 a dozen; White Anthurium now PHP350 a dozen from PHP300; Red Anthurium, PHP200 a dozen from PHP180; and Gerbera flowers, now at PHP350 a dozen.
The prices in Baguio, Manang Azon said, are expected to further increase with the peak of demand seen by October 29 and 30, when many of the out of town buyers would be flocking to the city. “Every day, the prices increase and it would be at its highest by October 29 and 30,” she said in the vernacular.
The prices, however, will drop to normal levels by the late afternoon and evening of October 31, just to allow all supplies to be bought.
Andy Colti, president of the La Trinidad Cit-flower Growers’ Association in Benguet, where almost all the flowers brought to the city come from, said that there is enough supply of flowers for the All Saints’ Day.
“We did not have rains that destroyed our plants so we will be expecting enough if not more than the required quantity,” he said in a telephone interview.
He added that many flower growers had started harvesting to take advantage of the good prices of their produce.
Colti, however, said that the prices of flowers at the La Trinidad “bagsakan” area were much lower than those sold in Baguio, but were sold in bulk as most of those who visit the area were also traders who bring flowers out of town.
He noted that the factors considered in setting the prices of flowers include the quantity, size of petals and stem, color and the quality. PNA-northboundasia.com