Rose prices rise prior to Valentine’s Day

TAK, Feb 5 (TNA) - Rose farmers in Tak’s Phop Phra district, the country’s largest rose production base, accelerate to harvest their produce for transportation to Bangkok’s flower market ahead of the upcoming Valentine’s Day. Rose growers said fluctuating weather causes low yield this year. Nipaporn Phrae-ampha, a rose farm owner said her farm recorded a 20-per cent drop in rose produce and can harvest 17,000 roses daily, lower than about 20,000 flowers last year. Ahead of the special occasion, the rose prices rises from 1.50-2 baht each to about 5-6 baht. Retailed prices are likely to increase from last year, because the supply is less than demand. The roses are small and are not on good shape due to the cold weather. Red roses are the most popular colour. Rose growers said labour shortage remains a major problem as well as high production cost and fluctuating weather. The number of rose farmers and rose farms in Phop Phra district has dropped by half from about 200 rose farmers, earlier working on 4,000 rais (1,600 acres) of land. (TNA)