Ahead of International Women’s Day 2025, Russia’s flower market is poised for a major shift as lawmakers push for increased tariffs on imported flowers. State Duma Deputy Dmitry Gusev has proposed raising customs duties to three Euros per kilogram on cut flowers, aiming to give local producers a competitive edge while reducing reliance on foreign imports.
Gusev presented his proposal to Minister of Agriculture Oksana Lut, emphasizing the need to support Russian flower growers. The initiative includes a plan to lower value-added tax (VAT) on domestic flower production to ten percent, a move designed to ease financial pressure and stimulate industry growth. “Flowers are not just about beauty; they are a vital part of our economy,” Gusev stated. “We must create opportunities for our producers to thrive and ensure that beautiful flowers are also homegrown.”
Russia remains heavily dependent on flower imports, particularly from the Netherlands. The proposed tariff increases are not only an economic strategy but also part of a broader effort to reduce reliance on foreign suppliers.
Meanwhile, domestic flower prices have been experiencing significant fluctuations. Data from leading Russian flower marketplace Flowwow indicates that tulip prices have surged by 25 percent over the past year, now averaging 231.3 rubles per stem. This sharp increase has nearly erased the price gap between tulips and roses, the latter averaging 248.6 rubles per flower. A year ago, tulips were around 39 percent cheaper than roses. Experts attribute this shift to supply chain disruptions and agricultural challenges abroad, particularly reduced bulb yields in the Netherlands.
The Russian government’s push to boost local flower production aligns with broader economic strategies aimed at reinforcing national industries and reducing dependency on external markets. However, questions remain over whether these measures will be enough to revitalize a sector facing rising production costs and market instability.
For consumers, these policy changes may impact flower availability and pricing, especially during peak seasons such as International Women’s Day. As the proposal moves forward, industry stakeholders will be watching closely to see whether it fosters sustainable growth within Russia’s domestic flower market.