According to the Taipei Flower Auction Co., the average price of a bundle of flowers reached NT$71.9 (US$2.35), up 22 percent over the previous trading day’s level.

The volume of flowers traded amounted to 95,809 bundles, up 17 percent over the previous trading day, the company said.

A flower industry source said that despite the increase, flower prices are roughly the same as during the period prior to Chinese Valentine’s Day last year.

He suggested that consumers shouldn’t worry about being forced to dish out large amounts for a bouquet for their loved ones, as a wide variety of roses — the typical Chinese Valentine’s Day flower of choice — will be available at prices ranging from about NT$100 to NT$4,000 per bundle.

“You don’t have to buy the most expensive kind of rose on the market, because after all, it’s the thought that counts when giving a gift,” he said.