Hong Kong’s floriculture industry is bracing for a significant downturn in February 2026, as the annual rush of Valentine’s Day demand collides directly with the mass travel exodus preceding the Lunar New Year holiday. With Valentine’s Day falling on Saturday, February 14, just three days before the start of Chinese New Year on Tuesday, February 17, flower sellers anticipate that thousands of residents leaving the city for extended holidays will severely depress one of the industry’s most critical sales periods.
The unusual synchronization of the two holidays has led to a logistical and commercial squeeze for florists, importers, and growers across the territory, forcing many to implement conservative ordering strategies and pivot focus toward traditional New Year arrangements rather than the customary high-volume supply of romantic flowers.
Travel Plans Overshadow Romance
Normally a peak day for sales, the positioning of Valentine’s Day this year allows many professional workers to take Monday, February 16, as leave, creating an extended break that encourages travel starting the preceding Friday.
“Valentine’s Day is typically one of our three strongest days of the year for revenue, but many of our regular clients have already notified us they will be travelling overseas or to the mainland before the 14th,” explained Margaret Chan, who has operated a longstanding flower shop in Mong Kok for over 15 years.
This widespread pre-holiday travel represents a conflict of priorities for consumers. According to David Wong, manager of a Central district flower shop, major travel plans—including pre-booked flights and hotel reservations—are unlikely to be altered simply to accommodate a single-day celebration.
The extended holiday also compromises the market of last-minute purchasers. Impulse buyers, who traditionally generate substantial revenue by queuing for bouquets on the evening of February 14, will likely be absent as many residents head to the airport instead of home. Tommy Leung, whose family runs a three-generation floral stall in Causeway Bay, noted the crucial role of these shoppers, stating, “If everyone has already left for the airport, who is going to be buying flowers?”
Supply Chain Prepares for Uncertainty
The uncertainty surrounding demand has permeated the entire floral supply chain. Importers responsible for sourcing millions of roses from key markets like Ecuador and Kenya are navigating a difficult balance between potential massive losses from unsold perishable stock and the risk of missing sales opportunities.
One anonymous importer confirmed they are reducing standing orders by approximately 30% compared to typical Valentine’s shipments, deeming the conservative approach the safer bet for high-risk perishable items.
Meanwhile, local growers in the New Territories are adjusting production strategies. Many are reportedly shifting resources to cultivating traditional Chinese New Year flowers—such as orchids, peonies, and kumquat trees—which maintain reliable demand leading up to and during the holiday period.
Industry Reactions to the Calendar Clash:
- Conservative Ordering: Importers are reducing typical rose shipments by up to 30%.
- Early Deliveries: Customers are requesting bouquets days before the 14th, complicating inventory freshness.
- Product Pivot: Florists increasingly prioritize Chinese New Year arrangements over romantic bouquets.
- Corporate Focus: Shops are targeting hotels and restaurants for decorative contracts to offset individual losses.
Creative Marketing and Cautious Optimism
In response to the challenging environment, some florists are employing creative solutions to mitigate losses. Shops in bustling districts like Tsim Sha Tsui are introducing “travel-friendly” bouquets, including smaller arrangements or preserved dried flowers that couples can transport easily or gift to relatives during family visits. Other strategies include downplaying Valentine’s Day promotions altogether and focusing energy on the guaranteed demand for Lunar New Year aesthetics.
Despite the headwinds, some industry veterans remain cautiously optimistic, noting that Hong Kong’s large population ensures a remaining customer base, including expatriates, young couples, and residents who do not leave for the holidays.
“Hong Kong is still a city of seven million people,” said Wong. “Even if many travel, there are millions more who will stay. Love doesn’t stop just because the calendar is inconvenient.”
This unique event is expected to provide valuable data for long-term planning, helping the industry adapt to the infrequent but inevitable clashes between the lunar and Western calendars in future years. Ultimately, florists are adapting, demonstrating resilience in a market defined by high stakes and short selling windows. As they manage risk in the short term, the results of this clash will determine whether creativity and local loyalty are enough to salvage one of the year’s most profitable holidays.