Italians will have bought around 35
million flowers to a total value of 80 million euro by the end
of Valentine's Day, the floriculturalists of farmers' group
Cia-Agricoltori Italiani said on Wednesday.
The figures are in line with sales in 2023.
However, Cia said the sale of flowers grown in Italy is expected
to increase by around 20% this year due to the rise to 8-10 euro
per stem in the retail price of long stemmed roses, which
typically come from abroad.
By comparison, a mixed bouquet of Italy-grown freesias,
anemones, ranunculus and carnations costs in the region of 25
euro.
Unlike in northern European countries, the Italian cut flower
sector is closely linked to the annual festivities of
Valentine's Day, Women's Day on March 8, Mother's Day on the
first Sunday in May and the Day of the Dead on November 2.
Together, these occasions account for more than 50% of annual
purchases.
Separately, Coldiretti said Wednesday that Italy's floriculture
sector boats around 17,000 companies employing around 200,000
people and is worth 3.1 billion euros.
However, it added that the sector is now negatively affected by
the climate crisis, rising production costs linked to energy
prices and unfair competition from abroad, with imports of
plants and flowers reaching almost 900 million euro in 2023, up
33% over the previous year.
Often these products are obtained through labour exploitation,
such as in the case of flowers from Kenya and Colombia,
Coldiretti said.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © Copyright ANSA
