"Since when was a single bouquet this expensive?"

Lee Minyoung (22), a third-year student at Hongik University who recently attended a club senior's graduation ceremony, kept checking the price tags in front of a flower shop. Picking up three 20,000-won sunflower bouquets, Lee said, "I want to congratulate them more than anyone else, but as a student, it's a lot of pressure to buy a really full bouquet," expressing regret. At a street stall near Exit 9 of Hongik University Station, a steady stream of customers were looking for cheaper artificial flowers. With graduation season approaching, rising wholesale flower prices are driving up retail prices around university districts as well.

On the 20th, bouquets for graduation celebrations were displayed at a flower shop near Sinchon Station. Teddy bears wearing graduation caps and soap flowers were named popular items. Reporter Oh Jieun

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According to flower distribution data from the Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation (aT) on the 23rd, the average auction price of roses last month was 12,576 won, up 18.8% from 10,587 won in the same period a year earlier. The overall wholesale price of cut flowers (flowers sold with stems) at the Yangjae Flower Market in Seocho-gu, Seoul, also rose 12.5%. The upward trend has continued into February. From this day for three days, major universities such as Yonsei University, Hanyang University, Seoul National University, and Kyung Hee University are scheduled to hold commencement ceremonies one after another.

The rise in wholesale prices is directly reflected in retail prices. A check of about 10 flower shops near major university districts in Seoul showed that the most commonly sold bouquet price range this graduation season is around 50,000 won. However, shop owners all said that "if you want a full, abundant bouquet, you should expect to pay at least 70,000 won." When seasonal materials are added to increase the size, many products easily exceed 100,000 to 150,000 won. In the information section of some flower shops near Garak Market in Songpa-gu, there were even notices stating that "during graduation season, at least 20,000 won more is added compared to usual."

Flowers are on display near the main gate of Sogang University, where the commencement ceremony was held on the 20th. Bouquets of soap flowers that do not wither and individually wrapped 'mini' bouquets made up most of the display. Reporter Oh Jieun

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As the burden grows, people are turning to smaller bouquets in the 10,000 to 20,000 won range or to single-stem products. "Doll bouquets" that incorporate school symbols are also gaining popularity. At a stall set up in front of the main gate of Sogang University, about 10 teddy bears dressed in graduation gowns were on display. They were tied together with preserved flowers and arranged in a bouquet format. Lee, who has run a flower shop near Dongguk University for more than 30 years, said, "The most popular design was a 20,000-won single flower with a mini graduation cap on it."

The recent rise in flower prices is not limited to the graduation-season boom. In the past, prices would spike sharply during a specific week in February and then quickly stabilize, but recently they have been rising gradually throughout the winter season. In November and December last year, the transaction value of cut flowers rose 14% and 18%, respectively, from a year earlier. An official at the aT Flower Center analyzed, "During the February entrance and graduation season, consumption of bouquet items such as roses and freesias was brisk," adding, "Considering that the market reached its peak season at the end of last year, it appears that buying interest tends to be strong throughout the winter."

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