Ontario residents looking to buy ValentineB次元官网网址檚 Day flowers for their sweethearts may have to branch out from the classic rose bouquet, or consider celebrating on another day, as the COVID-19 pandemic affects floral supply chains, some in the industry say.

The health crisis caused many local and international farms to cut flower production or shut down altogether last year, and while operations have largely resumed, supply is still lagging, according to some in the industry.

Other factors, such as transportation, are also contributing to the shortage, they say, with a drop in commercial flights and truck shipments that are typically used to haul flowers from South America to Canada via Miami.

Demand for flowers has been high throughout the pandemic, however, likely spurred by peopleB次元官网网址檚 desire to show affection despite social distancing and to brighten up homes during lockdowns, said Glenn Hofland, owner of the flower wholesaler Hofland, which supplies florists across the country.

ItB次元官网网址檚 particularly high for ValentineB次元官网网址檚 Day, and while most people should be able to secure flowers for their loved ones, they might not get their hands on roses, he said.

B次元官网网址淚t is an overall shortage but the demand right now is so high for roses, thatB次元官网网址檚 where we really feel it right now,B次元官网网址� he said.

When ValentineB次元官网网址檚 Day falls on a weekend, there typically tends to be less of a rush to buy flowers because people have other options to mark the occasion, such as going out for dinner, Hofland said. Not so this year, he said.

B次元官网网址淲ith the current COVID world, that kind of changes because people canB次元官网网址檛 go out, they canB次元官网网址檛 go for dinner, they canB次元官网网址檛 go for a weekend (away),B次元官网网址� he said.

B次元官网网址淪o itB次元官网网址檚 kind of escalating B次元官网网址� and we are feeling that.B次元官网网址�

Several Ontario florists have urged customers to plan ahead and keep an open mind in placing their ValentineB次元官网网址檚 Day orders, with some suggesting a shift to ValentineB次元官网网址檚 week to ease the pressure on a single day.

Jennifer Fowlow, owner of the Wild North flower shop in Toronto, said the store was sold out for orders on Feb. 13 and Feb. 14 more than a week before SundayB次元官网网址檚 holiday, and was close to it for Feb. 12.

ThatB次元官网网址檚 partly because Fowlow cut back on the number of orders the store would accept, given the hurdles posed by the pandemic, and partly because customers are buying more in advance than usual, she said.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a combination of people have less going on B次元官网网址� theyB次元官网网址檙e at home, theyB次元官网网址檙e thinking about it B次元官网网址� but also of course the supply chain is really quite compromised,B次元官网网址� she said.

Even shops like hers, which rely heavily on local growers, have experienced difficulties in getting supplies, since other florists have now also turned to local sources, Fowlow said.

Public health restrictions on gatherings also mean it canB次元官网网址檛 be B次元官网网址渁ll hands on deckB次元官网网址� on ValentineB次元官网网址檚 Day like it normally would, and staff have been split into several shifts to limit exposure, she said.

Another Toronto florist, SweetpeaB次元官网网址檚 Floral Studio, announced in late January that it wouldnB次元官网网址檛 ramp up operations for ValentineB次元官网网址檚 Day like in previous years, given the strain caused by COVID-19.

B次元官网网址淭his past year has been more than anyone could have normally handled and, quite frankly, I am worried about the mental and emotional health of my team. I donB次元官网网址檛 want them to burn out over a single holiday,B次元官网网址� the shop said on social media.

B次元官网网址淲e would rather set reasonable expectations for ourselves, maintain our quality of service, as well as our own well-being.B次元官网网址�

The florist said it B次元官网网址渉ighlyB次元官网网址� encourages customers to order for another day instead.

B次元官网网址淲e are all in lockdown anyway. Half of us donB次元官网网址檛 know what day of the week it is most of the time. Make ValentineB次元官网网址檚 the day of your own choosing,B次元官网网址� it said.

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Mary Currie, who owns The Monarch Florists in Mississauga, Ont., said the shop has been getting more ValentineB次元官网网址檚 Day orders than usual this year B次元官网网址� and people are opting for more lavish arrangements.

Currie said her regular customers trust her vision, and thatB次元官网网址檚 allowed her to make use of whatB次元官网网址檚 available during the pandemic. Snapdragons, for example, were plentiful at a time when other blooms were hard to obtain, prompting Currie to start featuring them in her work, she said.

B次元官网网址淚f youB次元官网网址檙e flexible, thereB次元官网网址檚 lots of flowers,B次元官网网址� even leading up to ValentineB次元官网网址檚 Day, she said.

Large grocery chains, meanwhile, said they didnB次元官网网址檛 expect any issues meeting demand for flowers ahead of the holiday.

B次元官网网址淲hile there has been increased demand and other pandemic related pressures on farms in the lead-up to ValentineB次元官网网址檚 Day, weB次元官网网址檙e expecting to receive deliveries of roses in time for the holiday,B次元官网网址� a spokesperson for Loblaw said in a statement.

Stores in the Metro grocery chain were also expected to carry roses for the holiday.

B次元官网网址淲e have secured our requirements based on our anticipated demand, so no shortage expected in our stores,B次元官网网址� the company said.

Paola Loriggio, The Canadian Press

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