Valentine’s Day roses cost more this year due to tariffs

OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) - We are in the countdown to Valentine’s Day and this year Cupid is carrying tariffs instead of arrows.

That means the traditional dozen long-stem roses will cost more.

It’s all hands on deck at Janousek Florist. Valentine’s Day is coming, one of the most wonderful times of the year.

“It’s the busiest time of year except for Mother’s Day. We look forward to it every year. Maybe 15 to 20%of our business,” said Eric Janousek, Janousek Florist and Greenhouse.

The business of selling flowers, especially on Valentine’s Day, has changed over the years.

“More online, mainly just everything’s ordered online over the phone and through our website,” he said.

Tariff impact

Whether you order online or come into the shop, the popular dozen long-stem roses have been hit by tariffs’ arrow this year.

“They definitely were higher than they were last year. I’d say by 25 percent more, which is a lot,” Janousek said.

“This year we got most of ours from Ecuador. They cut them in Ecuador and then ship them to Miami and then they’ll fly them in a plane up to Omaha,” he said.

Money-saving alternatives

All of the flowers here have made the same journey, but you can save money by picking other pretty flowers to make up your special gift.

“Just your mixed arrangement is usually your best price. You know if you’re a little less specific on what you want, say hey give me a $50, $60, $75, $100 flower arrangement, you get a better deal, more variety of flowers,” Janousek said.

“You’ll get more stems than 12 roses which might be $100, where this you’re getting 20 different flowers,” he said.

Justin Robinson is here to order a special arrangement of roses. He knows about the tariffs, but for Valentine’s Day, he’s not worried about the extra dollars.

“This is important. It’s showing somebody that you care about them and they mean a lot to you, so I don’t think you can put a price tag on that for sure,” said Justin Robinson, customer.

Janousek says this year a dozen roses will cost around $100, up from last year’s price of around $85.