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Weather Shifts Threaten Global Rose Production for Valentine's Day
Warming climate and extreme weather events disrupt supply of roses from top exporting countries.
Published on Feb. 14, 2026
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Valentine's Day is a holiday associated with expressions of love, often symbolized by the gift of roses. However, weather and climate changes are increasingly impacting global rose production, with top exporting countries like Ecuador, Colombia, Kenya, and others facing challenges from drought, temperature swings, and other extreme weather events. This article explores how the relationship between weather, climate, and rose cultivation is evolving, and the potential impacts on the availability and quality of roses for the Valentine's Day holiday.
Why it matters
Roses are a timeless symbol of love, and their availability and quality on Valentine's Day is important to many people. As climate change disrupts rose production in major exporting regions, it could lead to shortages, higher prices, and reduced quality of roses for consumers. This highlights the broader challenges that climate change poses to agricultural production and the need to develop more resilient systems.
The details
Top rose-producing countries like Ecuador, Colombia, Kenya, and others rely on specific climate conditions to cultivate high-quality roses. Equatorial regions with consistent sunlight and moderate, spring-like temperatures are ideal. However, these regions are facing growing threats from extreme weather, including drought, temperature swings, and other climate-related impacts. For example, the Andes region is experiencing increasing temperatures and glacier retreat, which threatens water availability for rose cultivation. In 2024, the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California had to turn to foreign rose sources due to a lack of domestic supply caused by "rain, wildfires, extreme whiplash between hot and cold weather and other dramatic weather changes."
- In 2024, the Tournament of Roses Parade had to turn to foreign rose sources due to weather-related supply issues.
- According to a 2023 BAMS State of the Climate report, 59% of all exported roses come from five Global South countries facing growing dangers from extreme weather.
The players
Danielle Hahn
A U.S. rose farmer concerned about the impacts of climate change on rose production.
Christian Aid
A non-profit organization that published a report highlighting the threats to rose production in major exporting countries due to extreme weather.
Appleyard London
A company that provides information about roses, including the fact that "rose" is an anagram of "Eros," the Greek god of love.
What’s next
Researchers and rose producers are working to develop more climate-resilient rose varieties and cultivation practices to ensure a reliable supply of roses for future Valentine's Day celebrations.
The takeaway
The challenges facing global rose production due to climate change highlight the broader impacts of a warming planet on agricultural systems and the need to invest in more sustainable and resilient food production methods to ensure the availability of cherished symbols of love like roses.
