Russian Flower Market Faces Dumping Pressure as Prices Rise
Cheap imports of flowers from Kenya and Ecuador are under scrutiny for potentially harming domestic producers. The National Florists’ Association has called for an anti-dumping investigation within the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) to address the impact of affordable imports from third countries. According to the association’s president, the move aims to protect Russian growers from economic damage caused by low-cost flowers entering the market. The outcome could lead to higher customs duties and the reinstatement of anti-dumping protections if the check confirms injury to local florists, as reported from RIA Novosti
The association notes that Russian flower growers currently control only a small portion of the market, about 17 percent. Kenya and Ecuador remain the primary sources of supply, and several domestic firms are seeking to replace a portion of foreign goods with Russian-grown blooms. The relatively low customs duty up to now is cited as a key barrier preventing a shift in supply toward local producers, despite the desire to strengthen domestic production.
The push to curb cheap imports extends beyond Russia alone. Other participants in the EAEU market are also affected by these low-priced flowers from abroad, according to the association. The Eurasian Economic Commission holds the authority to decide on raising duties, and industry observers point to past experiences where duties increased by more than 120 percent, prompting measures to shield local producers
Early last year, market observers noted a marked price shift as florists reported an uptick in bouquet costs ahead of a major holiday. Analysts anticipate that currency movements could further influence pricing, with bouquet prices potentially rising by as much as 30 percent. An online platform representative confirmed that florists had alerted customers to expected price increases, underscoring a broader trend of price volatility in the wake of fluctuating exchange rates. Some estimates suggest price increases could range from 40 percent to as much as 200 percent compared with typical seasonal changes before holidays, reflecting both import costs and translation into local market pricing
Industry experts emphasize that the situation underscores the sensitivity of the flower value chain to global supply dynamics, currency fluctuations, and regulatory actions. The debate over anti-dumping measures highlights how buyers and sellers in the EAEU must balance competitive pricing with the need to sustain homegrown cultivation and employment in the floral sector. Market participants are watching closely how policymakers within the Eurasian Economic Commission will respond to calls for stronger protection of domestic producers while maintaining fair access to international sources, as reported by industry observers in this ongoing discussion