Flowers can deliver messages like “I love you,” “get well,” “congratulations,” and more. Those occasions, plus weddings, parties, or other special occasions put on hold during the pandemic, are back. At the same time, a flower shortage is complicating those plans.
Local flower shops and wholesalers are trying to adjust to the busy schedule of events and the demand for flowers amid the shortage, which stems from drought, unrest, and after-effects of the pandemic.
Many flowers that are sold in Indiana’s flower shops come from places like South America, Mexico, and California. South American countries, in particular, are known to have a climate prime for growing a variety of fresh flowers. As a result, they are exported all over the world. For example, Ecuador is known for roses. Right now, local flower shops are seeing a shortage of that flower, which is popular for many occasions.
The current shortage stems from a national strike in Ecuador demanding a decrease in the price of fuel and increases in the health and education budget as well as price controls on certain goods, among other demands. The unrest has led to shortages of food and fuel and millions in losses for farmers and business leaders. The government agreed to start negotiations a few weeks ago, which ended 18 days of strikes.
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