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Supply chain issues hit Central Florida florists ahead of Valentine’s Day

Shipping delays, labor shortages plaguing industry

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – Flowers could be harder to come by this year because of the ripple effect the global pandemic has had on pretty much every industry.

Supply chain issues have backlogged flower shipments to florists pretty much everywhere and with Valentine’s day coming up, florists are advising consumers to put in those orders now.

“Little by little we have noticed that the domino effect of the pandemic is hitting everybody,” Ana Sevigna, the owner and lead designer of Impekable Flowers in DeLand said.

Sevigna, a native of Venezuela, runs the small shop with her sister Maria. They opened up their shop just a few months before the global pandemic started. The pair faced several challenges but were able to make it through 2020.

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“We survived the pandemic and we were still in business gladly to the fact that we were able to sell online,” Sevigna said.

However, after almost two years, availability issues continue.

“[It’s] getting even worse,” she said. “Basic vases that you could find before easily — they are out of stock. Not available; wrapping paper that we usually have.”

John Kobylinski is the owner of Orlando Wholesale Florist. He’s been in the horticulture industry for 40 years and is experiencing some delays in getting his product.

“There’s just not enough planes moving product. A lot of flowers were put on commercial flights and now that the international commercial flights are not as popular,” Kobylinski said.

His wholesale company distributes to several florists around the state.

“Now we are having some labor shortages on some of the farms because they’re like everybody else, months ago or six months ago they were limited to how many people they could put in a greenhouse or on a nursery,” he said.

The majority of the flowers he distributes come from Ecuador, Colombia and Holland.

“The day they’re cut in the farm the next day they’re on a plane to us. So, like we get flowers that have been cut 2 days ago in South America, three days ago,” Kobylinski said.

Ana’s Impekable Flowers store is one of Kobylinski’s clients in Volusia County. She suggests consumers put in their orders soon — even before Super Bowl Sunday.

“The time was yesterday. Yes, please order your flowers and order your flowers from your local florists. Support your local florists.”


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