Cut flower growers in Benguet province have started displaying a wide array of blooms along Malcolm Square on Session Road in Baguio amid assurance from the Department of Agriculture (DA) that there are sufficient supplies for the upcoming All Saints’ Day demand here and in Metro Manila. According to Jennylyn Dawayan, DA Cordillera director, they expected the prices to remain stable, as “we do not see an oversupply in the week running up to November 1.”
Benguet is one of the country’s major sources of roses, anthuriums, and gladiolas because of its relatively cool climate and high elevation. Each year, the province generates between 25 and 30 million metric tons of fresh blossoms, which are meant for the “Undas” in November, the yuletide season from December to January, and Valentine’s Day and the Baguio Flower Festival in February, according to the office of the Benguet provincial agriculturist.
Last year, DA records showed that 2.1 million dozens of cut flowers were grown at Benguet Gardens in a span of nine months. Cut flower production used to fluctuate because some Benguet farmers anticipated demand to rise from hotels during Christmas until they encountered competition from imported ornamental flowers.
Cut flower production used to fluctuate because some Benguet farmers anticipated demand to rise from hotels during Christmas until they encountered competition from imported ornamental flowers. Benguet’s flower industry took the biggest hit in the agriculture sector when the coronavirus pandemic triggered a shutdown of all businesses, including their traditional customers.
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