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Flower prices lower
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Yang Yunfei
HIGH hopes among flower sellers of cashing in on the Spring Festival have dampened as bumper flower crops and increased competition have beaten down prices.
With just a few days left before the most important traditional Chinese festival of the year, most flower traders say they do not expect much revenue this year.
Liang Jinhan, manager of the Lotus Hill Flower Centre, one of the city's largest flower markets, said his business "is only one third that of last year" due to dwindling buyers.
"Not as many people are buying flowers this year," he grumbled, adding that last year at this time he had swarms of customers.
A vendor at the city's Xiangmi flower market said that most flowers were being sold for 20 to 30 per cent less than last year.
He did not expect any improvement due to an oversupply of flowers.
Liang said that warmer weather this winter lead to a bigger flower harvest.
To make matters worse, more flower stores have been opened by people from nearby cities like Guangzhou and Shunde, thereby making competition even tougher.
In China, flowers have special significance during the Spring Festival. Many people, especially those in Guangdong, buy flowers to create a pleasant festive atmosphere at home. They believe that if flowers bloom well, they will bring good luck and success for the whole year.
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