The prices of many flowers recently increased in Pingtan amid a short supply.

Roses are now selling for 10 yuan ($1.65) per flower, up from the usual price of 5 yuan, and the price of sunflowers went up from 3 yuan to 5 yuan, Pingtan Times reported on Jan 2.

The price hike is mainly due to a rare snowstorm - the most severe in decades - in Kunming in Yunnan. The province has developed into the largest flower export base in Asia and Dounan Flower Market, located in suburban Kunming, is the largest in China.

In addition to the insufficient supply, customers have also complained about the quality of the flowers, and local florists predict that prices may increase in the coming days.

Edited by Chen Zhilin and Niva Whyman