Australian Flower Industry Prepares For Valentine's Day

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 13: Michael Bagala demonstrates for the camera his survey of rose crops at the Bagala Bros flower farm ahead of Valentine's Day on February 13, 2022 in Sydney, Australia. With Australians predicted to spend an average of $111 on Valentine's gifts this year according to research from the Australia Retailers Association, and roses on the top of the gift list, the Australian flower industry is preparing for a busy weekend. Michael Bagala said, "As soon as Covid-19 hit our sales dropped dramatically, easily 60% down. And then after that, once people started to realise this wasn't just going to be a two-week lockdown, it was going to be months upon months of lockdowns - they were at home and one of the few ways of contacting loved ones was by sending flowers. That was the really nice thing about our industry, we were still able to operate and people were able to send beautiful flowers when obviously we couldn't see each other in person. We were just grateful we were still able to work." Established for over 40 years, Bagala Bros is a second-generation flower farming company, wholesaler and importer, with a rose farm situated in New South Wales's Horsley Park. Growing a variety of roses all year round in a production facility using hydroponics technology they're working around the clock in preparation for this year's Valentine's Day celebrations. (Footage by Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images)