Higher farmland rent in the Pearl River Delta region is suspected of causing the retail prices of flowers and mandarin orange trees to rise between 30 and 50 percent from the same period last year.

Blooming flowers and mandarin orange trees, which symbolize prosperity and luck, are indispensable ingredients in traditional Chinese New Year celebrations.

However, even though prices have risen prior to the lunar New Year, which will fall on Sunday, there are retailers who say they have sufficient stock for the festival.

"High-quality mandarin orange trees are 2,500 yuan (US$320.51) per pot, 600 yuan higher than last year," said a plant retailer surnamed Li at the Futian Farm Produce Wholesale Market on Saturday.

The price of orchid, the most popular New Year flower for Shenzheners, rose from 30 yuan per pot to 50 yuan this year, according to a store owner in Luohu District.

A manager surnamed Xie from the Futian Farm Produce Wholesale Market said he believes the price rise is due to increase in farmland rent in the Pearl River Delta region.

"The agricultural sector has recorded a price rise since late last year," he said.

"The extra cost in land is finally transferred to consumers through raising plants' retail price," he said.

He said the price rise wasn't caused by the exceptionally warm winter, as high temperatures are ideal for plants.

Besides flower markets, the annual flower fairs, which will last until Saturday, the Chinese New Year's Eve, will also be organized. The biggest one on Aiguo Road in Luohu District will open at 10 a.m. today and last until midnight Saturday.

Editor: Donald