GEORGE TOWN: Say it with flowers – or not – as blooms are now getting more expensive, squeezed by the Covid-19 pandemic and the rainy weather.

       Many farmers have switched from growing flowers to vegetables during the long movement restriction order during the pandemic while those still tending to their blooms are hit hard by days of rain.

       According to florist Ling Tan, the prices of flowers have doubled and even tripled since two weeks ago. Even when she is willing to pay higher prices, there is just not enough supply from Cameron Highlands.

       “Roses used to cost about RM30 for 20 flowers wholesale. Now, it’s RM80.

       “Many customers want to order, some in large quantities for Christmas, but due to the shortage, I cannot commit.

       “I keep asking my suppliers for more but supply has dropped by over 80%. I ask for 10 bunches of flowers and only get one or two,” she said in an interview yesterday.

       To make up for the shortage, she has resorted to using imported supplies from China and India as well as artificial flowers.

       Ling, 51, said although it was usual for florists to face shortages at the end of the year, this year’s shortage was her worst.

       “In my 20 years as a florist, this is the lowest amount of supply I’ve gotten. I hope supplies will return to normal before Chinese New Year and Valentine’s Day in February,” she said.

       A flower supplier who only wished to be known as Lim said she had also resorted to importing supplies from India.

       “Flowers are very high in demand and our costs have increased between 10% to 30%. We need to somehow meet every retailer’s needs and yet, there is shortage from the farms,” she said.

       Cameron Highlands Floriculturist Association president Lee Peng Fo lamented the non-stop rain over the past three days and nights.

       “When it rains non-stop, the flowers are bruised and some don’t bloom well. They need dry and sunny days,” he said.

       However, the worst cause for the flower shortage, Lee said, was that many people switched to farming vegetables during the pandemic.

       “There were about 200 flower farms once. Most are growing vegetables now.

       “More time is needed before these farms go back to growing flowers,” he said.

       During the movement restriction order, with no lorries allowed to transport flowers out of the farms, many of the farmers were forced to throw away their fresh produce.