LA TRINIDAD, Benguet -- Valentine's Day's most popular bloom may become more expensive.
Augusta Balanoy of the Benguet Farmers Marketing Cooperative (BFMC) said because of the cold weather, rose flower famers reported the blooms have not matured, causing a decrease in its harvest as well as a hike in its sale.
"The price is expected to go higher than the present P750 per dozen," she reported.
Balanoy said dipping temperatures have affected the growth and maturity of flowers, especially roses.
"Other flowers have a higher tolerance to the cold temperature," she said.
In La Trinidad, Barangay Bahong is considered as the center of the local cut-flower industry in this part of Benguet with cut-flower-producing barangays of this town, such as Ambiong and Alno.
Balanoy said roses are more sensitive to cold weather with buds not maturing normally during the cold season.
For 2012, there were 31, 757, 481 metric tons of flowers were produced by the province with chrysanthemum still having the highest production 13, 273, 223 mt and La Trinidad having the highest among the municipalities with 17,221, 990 mt of flowers.
Flower production reached more than 33M mt in 2013 with chrysanthemum having the highest production of 11,530747.80 mt. The peak of the production falls in the 2nd quarter of the year, reaching 3,876,670 mt of production.
Balanoy said famers are expecting a decrease in yield by almost 40%.
Chrysanthemum holds the highest production among the flowers with 15, 833, 455 mt. Fiji flowers are like chrysanthemum because of its resemblance but differ in their varieties of colors.
In La Trinidad, Barangay Bahong is considered as the center of the local cut-flower industry in this part of Benguet with cut-flower-producing barangays of this town, such as Ambiong and Alno.
Growers supply flowers in Metro Manila, Ilocos Region, and Bicol Region.
Provincial Agriculture Office data shows peak months include November, February where Valentine’s Day is celebrated as well as the annual Baguio Flower Festival as well as March where majority graduates from schools and universities.
Farmers plant flowers 3 ½ to 4 months before the peak seasons like Valentine’s Day, All Saints' Day, and Christmas Day.
Balanoy said the rose growers now use cold storage for their harvests now explaining this will reflect on the decreased sales and high price.