Miami Airport Sees Surge in Valentine's Flower Imports Despite Tariffs

Customs officials process nearly 1 billion flower stems ahead of the holiday

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 flowers sold in the U.S. for the holiday passing through the airport. Flower imports have increased by 6% over last year, despite higher prices due to tariffs and a new minimum wage in Colombia, the main exporter. Customs officials inspect the flowers for pests and diseases before they are shipped across the country.

Why it matters

Miami's role as the main hub for Valentine's Day flower imports highlights the importance of the flower industry to the local and national economy. The surge in flower traffic also showcases the efficiency of the airport's logistics and customs operations in handling the seasonal influx.

The details

Around 90% of the fresh cut flowers being sold for Valentine's Day in the United States come through Miami International Airport, while the other 10% pass through Los Angeles. 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 buying flowers will likely see an increase in price this year due to tariffs placed on imports from Colombia and Ecuador, along with a new minimum wage enacted in Colombia.

  • In the weeks before February 14, Miami International Airport will process around 990 million stems of cut flowers.
  • Last year, the airport received almost 3.5 million tons of cargo, with flowers accounting for about 400,000 tons. More than a quarter of those flowers are shipped before Valentine's Day, marking a 6% increase over the previous year.

The players

Miami International Airport

The main hub for Valentine's Day flower imports in the United States, processing around 90% of the fresh cut flowers sold for 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 the increase in flower prices is largely related 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 takes pride in being the main hub for Valentine's Day flower imports, with more than a quarter of the airport's annual flower cargo shipped before the holiday.

Daniel Alonso

A senior official with U.S. Customs and Border Protection, who oversees the inspection of flower imports at Miami International Airport 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 of 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, Director, Miami International Airport

What’s next

Customs officials will continue to closely inspect the incoming flower shipments for any plant pests or diseases in the weeks leading up to Valentine's Day to ensure the safety of the floral imports.

The takeaway

Miami International Airport's role as the primary hub for Valentine's Day flower imports highlights the importance of the flower industry to the local and national economy, as well as the efficiency of the airport's logistics and customs operations in handling the seasonal influx of floral shipments.