Miami Airport Sees Surge in Valentine's Day Flower Imports

Despite tariffs and higher costs, flower imports to Miami International Airport increase ahead of the holiday.

Published on Feb. 6, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Miami International Airport is processing around 990 million stems of cut flowers in the weeks before Valentine's Day, with 90% of the fresh cut flowers sold in the U.S. for the holiday passing through the airport. Flower imports, primarily from Colombia and Ecuador, have increased by 6% over last year as the airport receives nearly 3.5 million tons of cargo annually, with flowers accounting for about 400,000 tons. However, customers can expect to see higher prices this year due to tariffs on imports and a new minimum wage enacted in Colombia.

Why it matters

Miami International Airport plays a crucial role in the U.S. flower supply chain, handling the majority of Valentine's Day flower imports. The surge in flower imports highlights the airport's importance to the floral industry and the economic impact of the holiday, despite challenges like tariffs and rising costs.

The details

Agricultural specialists at Miami International Airport will process about 990 million stems of cut flowers in the weeks before Valentine's Day, with around 90% of the fresh cut flowers sold in the U.S. for the holiday passing through the airport. Roses, carnations, pompons, hydrangeas, chrysanthemums and gypsophila arrive on hundreds of flights, mostly from Colombia and Ecuador. Miami's largest flower importer, Avianca Cargo, is transporting about 19,000 tons of flowers on 320 full cargo flights, more than twice as many as normal.

  • Miami International Airport receives almost 3.5 million tons of cargo annually.
  • Flower imports account for about 400,000 tons of the airport's total cargo.
  • More than a quarter of the airport's flowers are shipped before Valentine's Day, marking a 6% increase over last year.

The players

Miami International Airport

A major international airport that handles the majority of Valentine's Day flower imports to the United States, processing around 990 million stems of cut flowers in the weeks before the holiday.

Avianca Cargo

The largest flower importer at Miami International Airport, based in Medellín, Colombia. The company is transporting about 19,000 tons of flowers on 320 full cargo flights for Valentine's Day, more than twice as many as normal.

Christine Boldt

The executive vice president for the Association of Floral Importers of America, who stated that higher prices for flowers this year are largely due to tariffs placed on imports from Colombia and Ecuador, along with a new minimum wage enacted in Colombia.

Ralph Cutié

The director of Miami International Airport, who said that the airport receives almost 3.5 million tons of cargo annually, with flowers accounting for about 400,000 tons, and more than a quarter of those flowers are shipped before Valentine's Day.

Daniel Alonso

A senior official with U.S. Customs and Border Protection, who stated that agriculture specialists check the flower imports for potentially harmful plant pests and foreign animal diseases, finding about 40-50 plant pests per day on average, the most common being moths.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We fly flowers for the whole year, but Valentine's is special. Much more concentrated on roses, red roses especially. More than 50-60% are red roses at this time.”

— Diogo Elias, CEO of Avianca Cargo (WRAL)

“This adds significant dollars to the bouquets that are coming in. Every consumer is gonna have to face additional costs.”

— Christine Boldt, Executive Vice President, Association of Floral Importers of America (WRAL)

“The mother, the wife, the girlfriend in Omaha, Nebraska, that gets their flowers for either Valentine's or Mother's Day, chances are those flowers passed through our airport. And that's something we take a lot of pride in.”

— Ralph Cutié, Airport Director, Miami International Airport (WRAL)

“Our rigorous process is vital to safeguarding the floral and agricultural industries, ensuring that our imported flowers are not introducing any pests or harmful diseases.”

— Daniel Alonso, Senior Official, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (WRAL)

What’s next

The U.S. Department of Agriculture will continue to monitor the flower imports for any potential plant pests or diseases that could threaten the domestic floral and agricultural industries.

The takeaway

Miami International Airport's role as a hub for Valentine's Day flower imports highlights the global nature of the floral supply chain and the economic significance of the holiday. Despite challenges like tariffs and rising costs, the airport's ability to efficiently process and inspect these perishable goods is crucial for ensuring the timely delivery of flowers to consumers across the United States.