MIAMI — This Valentine’s Day, couples across the U.S. won’t need to worry about a potential flower shortage, as agricultural experts report impressive import numbers.
Leading up to February 14, Miami International Airport has processed approximately 940 million stems of cut flowers, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Notably, about 90% of fresh cut flowers sold for Valentine’s Day in the United States are routed through Miami, with the remaining 10% coming via Los Angeles.
A wide variety of flowers, including roses, carnations, pompons, hydrangeas, chrysanthemums, and gypsophila, make their way to Miami on numerous flights, predominantly from Colombia and Ecuador, before being distributed to florists and supermarkets throughout the U.S. and Canada.
Among the key players in this import operation is Avianca Cargo, based in Medellín, Colombia, which has transported roughly 18,000 tons of flowers on 300 full cargo flights over the past three weeks, according to a company representative.
“We transport flowers year-round, but during the Valentine’s season, our capacity more than doubles to meet the increased demand,” said a senior executive from Avianca.
Flowers are a major part of Miami International Airport’s imports, as highlighted by Miami-Dade’s chief operations officer. Last year, the airport handled over 3 million tons of cargo, with flowers comprising nearly 400,000 tons worth over $1.6 billion.
“With daily arrivals of 1,500 tons of flowers, the total imports for January and February alone are estimated at 90,000 tons, valued at $450 million,” commented the Miami-Dade official.
This surge in imports presents significant responsibilities for agriculture specialists, who meticulously inspect flower shipments for invasive pests and diseases to protect U.S. agriculture. One director highlighted that invasive species could lead to substantial economic losses.
In recent months, international trade relations faced scrutiny, especially regarding a potential tariff on Colombian flowers amid political disputes. However, the situation has stabilized after negotiations were reached, allowing trade to proceed without escalation.
While officials from various sectors gathered for an update on flower imports, they notably refrained from discussing any political implications or tariff matters.
