Valentine’s Day shock as cost of a bunch of roses set to SOAR amid potential shortage – and the EU is to blame

VALENTINE’S Day could be blighted by droopy roses costing £50 a dozen — due to hold-ups from strict EU border checks.

Experts have warned of shortages for Friday’s big day as inspectors search lorries for bugs and pests.

Those arriving in time may look limp as they have a limited shelf-life.

Costs are up, too, because hauliers charge more if they are kept waiting for longer.

Nigel Jenney, of the Fresh Produce Consortium, said: “The industry is doing its best to absorb huge additional costs, but the increase is likely to affect rose prices.

"There could also be disruption to the supply chain for Valentine’s Day.

“Lorries exporting flowers from the EU carry a mix of flower consignments, but when a lorry carrying roses is stopped for an inspection of other ­flowers, the whole lorry load is delayed.”

The Netherlands used to export £300million of roses a year to the UK but the value has fallen since last April when the checks on exports began.

The Horticultural Trades Association said: “Some growers there say the increased costs and border checks hassle mean it is not worth sending them.”

A florist at Clapham Flowers in South London said: “The border checks are ­making things more difficult and ­expensive.

“We’ve put in extra rose orders.

“We just hope we get them all.”

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