Flowers Embark on Lengthy Journey Before Reaching Valentine's Day Recipients

Roses, chrysanthemums, and carnations travel thousands of miles from Colombia and Ecuador to U.S. florists

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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This Valentine's Day, the flowers you give your loved one will likely travel thousands of miles by air and ground before reaching your local florist. The majority of fresh-cut flowers in the U.S. come from Colombia and Ecuador, with Miami International Airport being the primary port of entry. Cargo airlines like Avianca transport massive amounts of flowers for the holiday, with inspections by U.S. Customs and Border Protection to prevent plant pests and diseases.

Why it matters

The Valentine's Day flower trade between Colombia, Ecuador, and the United States represents hundreds of millions of dollars in commercial value. However, the long journey the flowers take raises questions about the environmental impact and costs passed on to consumers.

The details

Roses, chrysanthemums, and carnations are the three most common types of imported flowers. For Valentine's Day 2026, Avianca Cargo transported more than 19,000 tons of flowers from Colombia and Ecuador, a 6% increase from the previous year. Miami International Airport processes 88% of all cut flower imports, with the rest going through Los Angeles International Airport and the San Diego land border crossing. U.S. Customs and Border Protection estimates it will inspect over 1.3 billion flower stems this year, intercepting more than 600 pests and plant diseases.

  • For Valentine's Day 2026, Avianca Cargo transported more than 19,000 tons of flowers from Colombia and Ecuador, a 6% increase from the previous year.
  • U.S. Customs and Border Protection estimates it will inspect over 1.3 billion flower stems this year.

The players

Avianca Cargo

A Colombia-based airline that flies massive amounts of flowers each year, especially for Valentine's Day and Mother's Day.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection

The agency that inspects all cut flower imports to the United States, intercepting more than 600 pests and plant diseases so far this year.

Diogo Elias

The CEO of Avianca Cargo.

Suzette Kelly

The acting executive director of CBP's Agriculture Programs and Trade Liaison.

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What they’re saying

“Valentine's Day requires a large-scale operational surge across the air cargo system.”

— Diogo Elias, CEO of Avianca Cargo

“Every cut flower inspected by CBP is a testament to our vigilance and unwavering commitment to preventing the entry of plant pests and diseases without compromising our agricultural protection.”

— Suzette Kelly, Acting executive director of CBP's Agriculture Programs and Trade Liaison (News release)

What’s next

The Trump administration's threat of tariffs on foreign countries could also play into the increased costs for consumers this year. Tariffs start at 10% for Colombia and Ecuador.

The takeaway

The long journey flowers take from Colombia and Ecuador to reach U.S. consumers highlights the global nature of the flower industry and the logistical challenges involved. While this trade represents significant commercial value, it also raises questions about the environmental impact and costs passed on to consumers.