Tulip or gone: a bouquet by March 8 will cost 4 thousand rubles.
By March 8, flowers had risen in price by 18% over the year, analysts estimated. This year, the bouquet will cost an average of 4 thousand rubles in the country, and about 5 thousand rubles in Moscow. Fluctuations in the dollar exchange rate have not affected the cost — sellers will not lower prices due to excessive demand. By the beginning of the month, the number of orders for bouquets had increased by almost a third. At the same time, domestic flowers make up only 20% of the market, mainly roses and tulips. This year, orchids, hydrangeas and bulbous plants are also popular, which will bloom gradually, the sellers told Izvestia. Flowers can cause allergies, so it's better to choose those that don't have too much fragrance, the doctors reminded.
How much does a bouquet cost by March 8th
A bouquet of flowers by March 8 will cost 4 thousand rubles on average in the country, which is 18% more expensive than last year, follows from the data available to Izvestia from the Chek Index analytical center of the OFD Platform company. The average price for a bouquet turned out to be slightly higher in the capital, where it was about 5,000 rubles. And when shopping online, flowers are 40-70% more expensive.
The most noticeable price increases over the year were lilies — by 39%, chrysanthemums — by 31%, and tulips — by 25%.
— In March, prices and demand for flowers traditionally reach their maximum values. Based on statistics from previous years, the number of purchases of flower bouquets in March exceeds those in February by 20-25 times," the analysts noted.
In addition, on March 8, part of the demand for Valentine's Day is shifting, which additionally creates an increase in customer interest and leads to an increase in flower sales both individually and in monetary terms, they added.
— Non-chain retail remains the main player in the flower market. However, more and more small stores are introducing online sales, where mass purchases for corporate needs, for schools and other gift tasks have already become popular," the analysts emphasized.
Sales and pre-orders of bouquets before March 8 have already increased by 30% compared to the beginning of February, according to Avito data. The average price there increased by 10% and amounted to 1.7 thousand rubles.
— Before the holidays, there is traditionally an increase in flower prices — this is due to increased demand and additional costs for sellers: for the rental of additional storage facilities and logistics. However, after the holiday rush, prices usually return to a stable level, they stressed.
Bouquet sales by March 8 are growing up to 30 times relative to the annual average, the Yandex Market press service added.
What influences the bouquet price
The bulk of flower products and planting materials enter the domestic market from abroad, which directly affects the formation of the final cost for consumers, noted in the Check Index.
The share of Russian flowers in the domestic market is about 20%, and the rest is accounted for by imports, the National Association of Flower Growers estimates. Victoria Krylova, Executive Director of the association, named as the main suppliersEcuador and Kenya.
— They bring flowers to Russia both directly and through other countries, she told Izvestia.
Flower deliveries from abroad have been established, there are no interruptions in receiving orders, assured Anastasia Novozhenina, founder of the Enso Flowers project.
Unloading flowers delivered for International Women's Day
Unfortunately, the significant increase in demand for roses by March 8 does not allow us to fully meet the needs of the market due to domestic production, Grodan Project manager (ROCKWOOL business unit) told Izvestia Alexey Kurenin.
— Currently, about 60% of roses in retail outlets are imported flowers, he stressed.
In the coming years, Russian farmers plan to expand the area of rose cultivation, but the need for imports will remain significant and stable, he predicted.
Fluctuations in the dollar exchange rate will not have a significant impact on the price of flowers for the end consumer, Victoria Krylova believes.
— March 8th is the best time for the flower business. If someone manages to buy flowers on the cheap, there is a chance that the exchange rate difference will be a pleasant bonus in the pocket of the owner of the flower shop," she believes.
In addition, small businesses, which include many flower shops, were affected by the tax reform that came into force in 2025, introducing a new burden, the expert added.
As a rule, sellers themselves will find out the final cost of flowers only at the time of receiving the previously ordered ones, Anastasia Novozhenina explained.
Nevertheless, the average cost of bouquets of certain types of flowers has decreased: over the past ten days, peonies have become 16% cheaper compared to the beginning of February, and irises have become 14% cheaper, according to Avito data.
In Russia, the largest flower producers are focused on growing roses, Victoria Krylova said.
— This flower accounts for more than 50% of the total consumption in the country," she said. — In the last few years, we have been talking about almost complete import substitution by Russian tulip producers. This flower has become better and of better quality than its foreign counterparts. However, now we do not fully know what the Russian tulip will be like, as according to some reports, there are problems with the supply of bulbs.
Flower shops buy not only roses and tulips from Russian manufacturers, but also branches of birch, eucalyptus, hydrangea and mattiola, Anastasia Novozhenina added.
Imported flowers are about 30% more expensive than domestic ones. This is partly due to the duty on flowers from unfriendly countries, as well as logistics, added Vera Modenova, Chief Operating Officer of the Flowwow flower and gift marketplace.
— There are not many Russian flowers on the market: about one in five plants has grown in our country. Most often these are roses, gerberas, chrysanthemums and lilies. Seasonal flowers are grown in small quantities: lilies, daffodils, alstroemeria, lisianthus (eustoma)," she said.
Bulbous plants such as tulips and daffodils are still being bought in the Netherlands, Vera Modenova said. Mimosa is purchased in the Krasnodar Territory and Abkhazia, and more premium varieties are sold in Italy.
Which flowers are being chosen this year
Roses traditionally remain popular — this year, bouquets of them accounted for 85% of bouquet sales, in addition, tulips and gypsophila are in demand, according to Avito data. Bouquets of chrysanthemums and long-playing compositions of dried flowers complete the top five. This year, sales of orchids, eustomias and hydrangeas have also increased on this site.
Bulbous plants are also on trend this spring, Anastasia Novozhenina added.
— The bulbs are in various vessels, planters. Each bulb germinates within one to two weeks. It turns out that you can observe the life of a plant," she shared.
Vera Modenova named French roses, peony-shaped roses, hydrangeas and alstroemeria among the most popular options this year.
— Bouquets with irises and carnations (also known as dianthuses) are consistently popular. During the festive periods, as a rule, classic roses and their combinations with seasonal flowers are in the lead," she noted. — Monobooks are in the greatest demand on March 8: they were purchased three times more often than original compositions of several types of flowers. This can be explained by the popularity of tulips, which are usually sold in monobooks.
In addition, sales of alternative bouquet options, including dried flowers and potted plants, are increasing.
When choosing a bouquet, it should be borne in mind that it can provoke allergies, recalled Gulnara Memetova, an expert at the Hemotest laboratory, allergist. According to her, the greatest threat to people prone to allergies are daisies, chrysanthemums, hyacinths, lilies, and mimosa, which is especially popular in spring.
— In all these flowers, the pollen particles are large and located on the surface of the bud. Allergy sufferers should not even be near such bouquets, let alone sniff them," she warned.
According to the doctor, rhinoconjunctivitis is one of the most common manifestations of pollen allergy: a person has a runny nose, tears flow, sneezing and dry cough begin, eyes itch and turn red.
— These symptoms are easily confused with signs of a cold, but allergies rarely provoke an increase in body temperature, and its manifestations disappear if you exclude contact with the allergen and take antihistamines, — said Gulnara Memetova.
Allergy symptoms can appear suddenly, even in those who have never experienced it before, as some irritants have a cumulative effect.
— It is better to choose plants with a more neutral odor. These are, for example, roses, peonies, dahlias and tulips. Unfortunately, allergies to them also occur, but much less frequently. In general, any flowers should not be placed near the bed, near the sofa or on the desktop — where a person spends a lot of time and would constantly be in contact with a potential allergen, the doctor recommended.
At the slightest suspicion of an allergic reaction, you should stay away from its source, consult with an allergist and take antihistamines prescribed by your doctor. If the reaction develops too rapidly, the person swells, it is difficult for him to breathe, you need to immediately call an ambulance.
What other gifts do women choose
On the eve of March 8, interest in unusual, edible bouquets is also growing. Thus, sales of chocolate-covered strawberries have already increased 2.5 times year-on-year, Avito estimates. They also actively buy edible bouquets of marshmallows, nuts and chocolates, cheese, seafood and sausages. Their cost starts from 450 rubles.
This year, Russians will choose sweet alternatives more often: this is influenced by both the increase in flower prices and the expansion of choice, Vera Modenova believes. She noted the growing popularity of bento cakes and sets of sweets before the holiday.
Other handmade goods are also in demand as a gift. For example, belts, key rings, body kits for bags. They also buy jewelry boxes and candles.
Before March 8, demand for hobby goods, women's bags, costume jewelry, cosmetics and perfume sets increased on online platforms. So, Wildberries recorded an increase in sales of perfumes, shower gels and bath bombs in early March. However, users purchase most of the gifts two or three days before the holiday, they noted.
Men also go to offline stores for gifts. So, in the Mega shopping centers, on the eve of International Women's Day, they estimate a 20% increase in turnover in their shopping centers. High demand is expected not only in the cosmetics and perfumery segment, but also in children's products, shoes and bags, accessories and jewelry, and smartphones. In addition, purchases of aerogrills are expected to increase this year.
Yandex Market has recorded an increase in sales of beauty equipment (massagers, hair dryers), as well as clothing, dishes and kitchen accessories.
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