JOHOR BARU: Florists and nursery owners are coming up with unique ideas to stay in business during the movement control order (MCO) period due to Covid-19 pandemic.
Lian Yong Heng, 63, who owns an orchid farm in Ulu Tiram said demand had dropped by nearly half since the beginning of the year and made worse now due to the situation.
“We had to find other ways to keep business going.
“I have started to dye my orchids in a variety of colours to make them more appealing and have also reduced the price, ” he said.
He added that most of his orchids were exported to Singapore where the demand for the flowers was higher.
“I have closed my shop to abide by the restriction order and only go to my farm to water my plants as well as to pack the flowers to be sent to Singapore, ” he said, adding that about 95% of his flowers were exported to the republic.
Johor Nursery Association acting president Darren Tan said nursery owners and florists were affected by the slowdown in business.
“A majority of our main customers are developers from China who buy large supplies of fresh flowers for their local projects.
“Now, all are confined to their country and we have lost a lot of customers, ” he said.
“Those who are still producing flowers are depending on exports to Singapore.
“However, some are facing problems getting them across the Causeway, ” he said.
Tan added that he was also concerned about the fate of florists and nursery owners if the movement control order was extended.
“Now owners or their workers still make regular visits to the nursery or farms as the flowers have to be watered daily.
“I hope we can be given special passes or documents for us to go through roadblocks, ” he said, adding that the association has some 200 members.
Source : https://www.thestar.com.my/metro/metro-news/2020/04/10/keeping-business-afloat-with-unique-ideas#cxrecs_s