Texan florists are facing a perfect storm of challenges that have driven up the cost of Valentine's Day blooms by as much as 15%. LaToya Rodriguez, owner of Rose Soiree, says recent cold weather completely froze over local farms she sources from.
"Lost entire crops that they were expecting to sell for Valentine's Day," Rodriguez said. When local sources fail, florists must outsource to other places, even other countries. But with imports come tariffs, driving prices even higher.
"75% of the world's roses are grown in South America. So now we have to pay for imports and tariffs to get those goods to the U.S.," Rodriguez said. Those tariffs forced Rodriguez to raise her prices by 15%. What once cost $100 may now cost closer to $115.
"My price is 15% higher. I'm not taking that home at the end of the day," Rodriguez said. Instead of pushing full bouquets, she tries to help customers stay within their budget by offering alternatives.
Read more at KRISTV
