Flowers are in high demand on International Women's Day in Russia.

However, due to EU sanctions amid the Russia-Ukraine conflict, locals are seeking alternatives to expensive imported flowers. 

CGTN reporter Sun Tianyuan visits a flower market in Moscow to see how people are coping with rising prices. 

SUN TIANYUAN Moscow "I'm here at Moscow's biggest flower market, and as you can see, it's crowed with people, buying gifts and flowers for their loved ones. Look at that, so many people here."

"Ni Hao! Hello!"

"Ni Hao!"

"Tulips!"

"Oh yes!"

"Oh yes?"

"Dollar! Dollar!"

"Good business?"

"Business is good."

"Nice."

Then I realized Chinese might just be an official language at this market.

"It's International Women's Day, so it's extra busy, huh? How's business?"

ALIM "Business is good!"

SUN TIANYUAN "It's very good?"

ALIM "Yes. The past three days have been especially great."

Flowers are a Women's Day must in Russia. Prices have risen, not just due to holidays but also the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

ALIONA "Everything is getting more expensive, but today, the price was okay."

EU sanctions, Russian tariffs, and higher logistic costs have driven up prices. Imports, like Dutch tulips, now have local substitutes.

VLADIMIR "There are a lot of Russian tulips now. They're cheaper but smaller. You used to get Dutch tulips the size of a fist. Now, they're the size of a matchbox."

Imported flowers still make their way into Russia via Belarus and Kazakhstan, but some customers prefer homegrown varieties.

VALERY "I like domestic flowers. Right now, I don't mind too much about the cost."

Despite the rising cost of both bread and flowers, life goes on. And those who love flowers often love peace.

SUN TIANYUAN Moscow "Today, I've seen resilience and adaptation at the flower market. Flowers are more than just gifts, they are symbols of love and peace. But no flowers can bloom in war."