According to the Colombian Association of Flower Producers, production of greenhouse flowers surrounding the Colombian capital, Bogotá, was severely impacted by unusually low temperatures that dipped to 19 degrees. This has caused uncertainty in the import market for Valentine’s Day and will likely impact the supply of flowers from Colombia in the short term. Full evaluation of the damage and impacts are not yet measurable.

The most reliable source of flowers is still local supply, such as the auctions and members of Flowers Canada Growers, because they have a direct contact with local provisioning. In this time of possible crisis, retail florists will need answers and reassurance that they will have flowers for the upcoming holiday. Local supply is stable and capacity for Valentine’s will be ready.

There are plenty of alternatives to roses available on the market that can be easily accessed (see article on pickOntario website). This is a perfect occasion to promote progressive, contemporary arrangements composed of locally grown flowers. The public is striving for sustainable, local product. Year after year, surveys demonstrate that alternative and high quality flowers are becoming more popular with consumers. Offering plenty of variety, local Canadian growers produce more than 50 varieties of fresh cut flowers and more than 150 varieties of potted plants, a perfect source of alternatives.

With a possible change in distribution of flowers, local growers and distributors need orders as soon as possible, so they can be sure to secure supply. Even though it is harder today for retail florists to know what they will need, they must place orders as soon as possible to be sure that they will have what they need in terms of quality, quantity, variety and freshness.