Flower farmers in Benguet have assured consumers of ample supplies for All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day, with greenhouse and open-field blooms ready for the annual observance.
Andy Colti, a flower growers’ leader in Benguet and a member of the magsasakang siyentipiko (farmer-scientist) program, said greenhouse growers began harvesting their produce last week.
“We were surprised to see the good selling prices as of last week compared to the same period in previous years when prices were low,” Colti said Tuesday.
Flowers are selling for PHP100, PHP150 and PHP200 per bundle of two dozen, depending on the size and variety. Open-field flowers have also begun blooming in time for Undas.
Colti said traders have started visiting farms to buy flowers directly from growers, signaling strong demand ahead of the observance.
“Your flower farmers are busy harvesting, and the traders are also coming over to buy, which we are happy about,” he said.
Growers have coordinated with flower truckers to schedule deliveries from La Trinidad in the early morning, at noon and in the evening to ensure a steady supply of freshly harvested blooms to trading hubs.
Colti said farmers hope imported flowers will not flood the market during Undas and compete with locally grown produce.
He said local growers can now produce large-bloom varieties, including roses, chrysanthemums and anthuriums, using technologies adopted from other countries.
“We can produce them, so there is no need to import them. Roses, chrysanthemums, and anthuriums that are big are already produced locally,” he said.
However, Colti said farmers do not oppose importing flowers that are not readily available locally, particularly orchids.
Meanwhile, the La Trinidad municipal government has designated a selling area at the public market for local cut-flower and potted-plant growers, allowing farmers to sell directly to consumers.
Colti said prices at the selling area may be negotiated, allowing buyers to purchase locally grown flowers directly from producers.
He encouraged consumers to visit the public market’s parking area to find quality flowers at competitive prices while supporting local farmers. (PNA)