• The war in Ukraine has unexpected effects, even at the Hyères flower market, the largest flower market in France.

  • A few wholesalers had indeed invested in the Russian market, which is booming and rather lucrative, but which is now at a complete standstill.

There reigns in the vast hangar of the flower market of Hyères in the Var a sweet heady perfume.

But in front of his buttercups, anemones and other mimosas stored by the hundreds in large carts pushed by the dozen employees of his company, there reigns in the mind of Patrick Carrasco a scent of uncertainty.

A flower wholesaler for thirty years, he is one of those few specialists who have been investing in the Russian market for ten years.

Each year, thousands of flowers are resold by this Var and transported by truck from what is the largest flower market in France, with no less than 400 producers from the only organized sector in France.

No export since February 21

But since February 21, three days before the start of the war between Russia and Ukraine, Patrick Carrasco had to stop all exports to Moscow.

“At first, my customers were afraid that my merchandise would not arrive, knowing that it is perishable merchandise, says the Varois.

Then the payments were blocked.

So it was no longer possible.

»

Faced with this blocking situation, Patrick Carrasco is not fooled.

“It will inevitably lead to a drop in my turnover, notes the entrepreneur.

Every year I make a global figure of more than three million euros.

I'm not sure that's the case this year… The Russian market was a booming market.

They particularly love peonies, whose season will begin there, at the end of March and lasts until May.

» Peonies mainly from Hyères: the city is home to no less than 150 hectares of fields of the famous flower.

"It's not easy every day"

“During this period, I bought three million stems of peonies, 15% of which was sold to the Russians, explains Patrick Carrasco.

And then, the Russians, they like what is the most beautiful.

They want big, quality rods.

And when I send them a list of prices, they often choose the highest..." If he does not fear for his own company, having other outlets in the world, in particular the United States, Patrick Carrasco therefore remains the eyes riveted on the price of the flower market.

"It's not easy every day," he explains.

This week we feel a kind of slowdown: the market is tense, and demand is a little calmer.

You have to wait a few weeks to see.

“With the risk that at the end of the chain, the producers are less well paid.

“This is another pretext for buyers to lower the price of flowers, plague Thierry Abeille, flower producer in Carqueiranne of which Patrick Carrasco is a historical client.

Last year it was Covid-19.

He always has to find an excuse to pay less.

Soon, we will have to make it free!

The price of the flower fell by 0.10 cents.

It's not a disaster yet.

For the moment, I am more afraid for these poor people than for myself…”

World

War in Ukraine: Why is it so difficult to send fighter jets to Kiev?

World

War in Ukraine: Why is Kim Jong-un "taking the opportunity" to fire his missiles?

  • Russia

  • steps

  • flowers

  • War in Ukraine

  • 0 comment

  • 0 share

    • Share on Messenger

    • Share on Facebook

    • Share on Twitter

    • Share on Flipboard

    • Share on Pinterest

    • Share on Linkedin

    • Send by Mail

  • To safeguard

  • A fault ?

  • To print