A Challenge We Can Overcome
It’s no secret that flower demand is at an all-time high. It’s also no secret that flower production has not been able to keep up with this high demand. This has created significant challenges for everyone in the industry. After such a complicated year, we know it’s frustrating that you and your customers are having trouble finding all the flowers you need.
However, we know that these production challenges won’t last forever. We also know there are certain things that we can control. The most important aspect is transparency. We are committed to updating you on this situation and sharing everything we know so that you can make well-informed decisions. When we get updates from the farms, logistics, or planning and procurement we will communicate them to you. We constantly talk about mutual trust and understanding and overcoming this challenge is no exception. Please know we are doing everything we can to get you the flowers you need.
We all remember last year, at the beginning of the pandemic, when toilet paper and Lysol products were nowhere to be found, chaos ensued. We do not want a repeat of this situation. If you panic and start contacting different growers, distributors, or importers for the same amount of flowers you usually order, we are collectively creating a false demand.
So, before we talk about what we can do as an industry to navigate these circumstances, let’s talk about why we’re in this situation in the first place.
We sometimes forget that our industry depends on aspects that are out of control such as the weather. We would love to be able to accurately forecast what the temperature and climate will be each year, but, unfortunately, that’s not possible. This year, we have seen unfavorable weather that affects production.
Additionally, when Covid-19 hit last year, production halted almost immediately and we’re seeing the effects of that right now. As farms normalize operations, flower production will increase in the coming months.
As things begin to normalize, flower production will catch up to the demand we are seeing. We believe this demand will continue as we have proven to people time and time again that flowers have the power to bring positivity into their lives.
But what can we do in the meantime? What can we do to avoid similar challenges in the future?
We believe that education is imperative. We must educate ourselves, our customers, and consumers about the life cycle of flowers. We talk about how flowers are beautiful and delicate products but we sometimes forget to mention the dedication that goes into planting a single stem or variety. Production can take months or years and sometimes we’re the first ones to forget this. We need to make sure everyone along the supply chain understands the intricacies of our products.
Please click here to read a more detailed document on the life cycle of different flower types. Keep in mind that not all flowers are the same, so planting techniques and times will vary.
Flexibility is another key aspect that will create solutions to these challenges. We know consumers have specific preferences but there are times where we will need to work with what we have. As we continue to educate people about the industry, they will come to understand that sometimes specific flowers may be unavailable.
As we consider the unpredictable aspects that affect our industry, we must think of alternatives or substitutions that work well within the flower trends. Broader or more general flower trends will give individuals in our industry the flexibility to continue creating beautiful flower art without the pressures of obtaining specific products.
Please be aware that these flower shortages will affect Easter and Mother’s Day orders. Again, we are here to help and to answer any questions you may have. Trust that if we continue to educate people about our products, we will get through these challenges together and change our industry for the better.
