Miami Airport Sees Surge in Valentine's Day Flower Imports

Flower imports rise despite tariffs and higher costs, as Miami processes 90% of U.S. cut flower supply

Published on Feb. 7, 2026

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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 being sold in the U.S. coming through the airport. Flower imports are up 6% over last year, despite tariffs and higher costs, as the airport's agriculture specialists work to inspect the flowers for pests and diseases.

Why it matters

Miami's role as the primary hub for Valentine's Day flower imports highlights the city's importance to the U.S. floral industry. The surge in flower imports also reflects the continued demand for fresh flowers around romantic holidays, even as consumers face higher prices due to tariffs and other cost increases.

The details

Miami International Airport will process about 990 million stems of cut flowers in the weeks before Feb. 14, with around 90% of the fresh cut flowers being sold for Valentine's Day in the U.S. coming 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. Customers will likely see higher flower prices this year due to tariffs placed on imports from Colombia and Ecuador, as well as a new minimum wage enacted in Colombia.

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

The players

Miami International Airport

A major international airport that serves as the primary hub for Valentine's Day flower imports to the United States, processing around 990 million stems of cut flowers in the weeks before Feb. 14.

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 said 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 flowers are one of the airport's largest imports, accounting for about 400,000 tons of the 3.5 million tons of cargo received annually.

Daniel Alonso

A senior official with U.S. Customs and Border Protection, who oversees the agriculture specialists that check the flower imports for potentially harmful plant pests and foreign animal diseases.

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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, Avianca Cargo

“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

“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

“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

What’s next

The airport and U.S. Customs and Border Protection will continue their heightened inspection and processing of flower imports in the lead-up to Valentine's Day to ensure the safety and quality of the floral supply.

The takeaway

Miami's role as the primary gateway for Valentine's Day flower imports underscores the city's importance to the U.S. floral industry, even as higher costs and tariffs impact consumers. The airport's rigorous inspection process helps safeguard the nation's agricultural and floral sectors.