TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The recent colder weather and damp conditions have affected Taiwan's flower market, leading to a nearly 30% reduction in certain flowers like roses, lilies, and chrysanthemums.
Li Ming-tsung, Chairman of Taipei Flowers Auction, said Thursday (Jan. 25) that flower prices are expected to rise by an average of 5% this year. He attributed the rise in flower prices to inflation, noting it's unrelated to the drop in the amount of flowers.
For instance, the cost of a bouquet of lilies, usually around NT＄250, could rise to between NT＄600 and NT＄700 during the Lunar New Year, with prices peaking at up to NT＄1,000.
Additionally, the arrival of the Lunar New Year is playing a part in the changes in opening hours at the Taipei Flower Market.
Starting tomorrow, the market will extend its opening hours to 3 p.m., and from Feb. 5 to the afternoon of Lunar New Year's Eve, the market will remain open, hosting a total of 108 hours of non-stop business. Over these days, the total supply of flowers is expected to hit around 904,000 bouquets.