ROANOKE TIMES 
                      Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times

DATE: Wednesday, February 5, 1997            TAG: 9702050098
SECTION: BUSINESS                 PAGE: B-5  EDITION: METRO 

ROSES MAY BE IN SHORT SUPPLY

A strike in Ecuador is threatening the export of roses to the United States at the busiest time of the year - 10 days before Valentine's Day.

Richard Franklin, a major Orlando, Fla.-based flower importer, said Tuesday he had a half-million roses in Ecuador that he hoped to ship to Florida in the next week - if he can get them out.

Ecuador is a major supplier of cut flowers to the United States. Since Monday, farmers have blocked highways and truckers have pulled their rigs off the road in advance of a 48-hour national strike, starting today, to protest the government's austerity measures.

-The Orlando Sentinel

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