Australian flower growers are enjoying a busier than average Valentines Day period, due in part to a pandemic-driven reduction in imported flowers.
Atherton Tablelands grower Paul Daly said the fortnight prior to Valentines Day was "organised chaos" at his Yungaburra farm.
"We're looking at 40,000 rose stems, that includes reds and your rainbow colours, and then with other flowers we're probably looking at another 10,000 stems," Mr Daly said.
"And that's over a 10 day period for the farm.
Limited international flight arrivals into Australia have resulted in reduced freight options for flowers imported from overseas, and higher prices for those that do make it into the country.
Burdekin florist Mel Lewty said the price of imported roses in particular had nearly doubled since the beginning of the pandemic.
"Prices are definitely at an all time high with freight costing the wholesaler a lot," Ms Lewty said.
"The prices have sky-rocketed."
Mr Daly said the impact of limited imports had sparked a renewed interest in Australian grown flowers from florists and consumers.
"For the industry as a whole it's not a bad thing," he said.
"And then their customers are also getting a fresh grown Australian product as opposed to something that was grown overseas and travelled thousands of miles."
Demand for locally grown flowers last week prompted the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) to issue a warning about online florists, or 'order gatherers', purporting to sell locally sourced products.
"Consumers are often willing to pay premium prices at local florists in the hope they will get fresh flowers, a direct point of contact and reliable delivery," said ACCC Deputy Chair Delia Rickard.
Mr Daly said he hoped people would continue to ask their florists where their flowers were grown long after imports resumed and the pandemic was over.
"I think people are prepared to pay that little bit extra for a product that's supported, and supports families in Australia," he said.
"Generally, people are willing to support local, but sometimes they forget that they have to ask where flowers have been grown."
