Vladivostok gears up for Women's Day with Dutch tulips despite sanctions

Vladivostok has started preparations for International Women’s Day with flowers already arriving in the city. Despite sanctions and logistical hurdles, tulip bulbs have been imported from the Netherlands. Prices for the blooms remain steady compared to last year. The city administration has set up 44 official street trading spots for vendors. These are allocated through a bidding system to manage spontaneous sales and improve buyer safety.

At wholesale markets, tulips are currently selling for 85–95 rubles per bud. On the streets, some vendors offer bulk packs of 20, with each tulip priced between 90 and 140 rubles. Ready-made bouquets in decorative wrapping cost between 2,000 and 3,000 rubles, averaging around 250 rubles per stem. Retail shops are also taking preorders, charging 120–160 rubles for a single tulip in a bouquet. Tulip prices have stayed similar to previous seasons. The city’s regulated trading spots aim to provide better organisation for both sellers and buyers. Residents can now preorder or purchase flowers ahead of the celebrations.