As Valentine’s Day approaches, Miami International Airport is handling a sharp rise in flower shipments, even as higher tariffs and wage increases drive up costs for importers and buyers, U.S. officials said.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection estimates that close to 990 million flower stems will pass through the airport before February 14. Miami remains the main entry point for Valentine’s Day flowers in the United States, receiving about 90 percent of all fresh cut flowers sold for the occasion.
The remaining shipments arrive mainly through Los Angeles.
Most of the flowers are flown in from Colombia and Ecuador and include popular varieties such as roses, carnations and chrysanthemums.
Avianca Cargo, the largest flower carrier at Miami airport, is transporting around 19,000 tonnes of flowers using 320 special cargo flights for the season, more than double its usual operations.
Avianca Cargo chief executive Diogo Elias said red roses lead the shipments during this period, making up more than half of the total imports.
Despite the higher supply, consumers are expected to face increased prices. Christine Boldt of the Association of Floral Importers of America said the rise is linked to tariffs imposed last year on flowers from Colombia and Ecuador, as well as higher minimum wages in Colombia.
Miami International Airport director Ralph Cutié said flower imports have increased by about six percent compared to last year, with more than a quarter of the shipments arriving before Valentine’s Day.
U.S. officials said all flower shipments are inspected by Customs and Border Protection agriculture specialists to stop pests and plant diseases from entering the country.
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