U.S. Valentine’s Day Brightened by Colombian Flowers

Valentine’s Day, a key day for love worldwide, is especially important for Colombia’s flower industry, mainly for exports. In Colombia, this day is less celebrated compared to the U.S. or Canada, as Colombians have their own Day of Love and Friendship in September. This makes Valentine’s Day more about business for Colombia, despite its lower local profile.

This annual celebration sees an influx of Colombian flowers adorning countless homes, offices and events throughout the U.S. and Canada. Known for their varied color, exceptional quality and longevity, Colombian flowers have become synonymous with romance and affection around the world.

In the weeks before February 14, Colombia’s flower industry enters a period of intense activity, preparing to fulfill an increased demand for roses, carnations, orchids, and many other flowers. Thanks to its favorable weather and a long-standing tradition of growing flowers, Colombia stands as a leading global exporter of cut flowers. It provides around 80% of the blooms sold in the United States for Valentine’s Day.

Important Colombian industry

The path flowers take from Colombian farms to U.S. households showcases Colombia’s commitment to quality and environmental care. In Colombia, flower farms follow rigorous environmental guidelines, using advanced methods to reduce their impact on nature while increasing the production of blooms.

Through responsible practices such as water conservation, integrated pest management and the use of renewable energy, these farms ensure the preservation of Colombia’s rich biodiversity while meeting global demand.

The impact of the Colombian floral industry on the U.S. market is profound, with millions of stems crossing borders each year. In 2023 alone, Colombia exported more than 500 million flowers to the United States for Valentine’s Day celebrations, demonstrating the important role the country plays in shaping one of the most romantic days of the year.

Beyond their aesthetic appeal, Colombian flowers serve as ambassadors of culture and heritage, reflecting the passion and warmth of the Colombian people. Each flower tells a story of dedication, craftsmanship and love, embodying the essence of romance cherished by people around the world.

Exports of Colombian flowers to the U.S. and Canada for Valentine’s Day

In the United States, Colombian flowers have become a staple of Valentine’s Day traditions, adorning bouquets, arrangements and floral displays that are exchanged between loved ones. Whether it’s a single red rose symbolizing deep affection or a vibrant bouquet expressing eternal devotion, Colombian flowers convey emotions that transcend language and borders.

Between the two countries, around 700 million flowers are imported from Colombia, coming from the Bogota and Medellin regions and arriving in the United States through the Miami airport. According to the Customs and Border Protection Agency (CBP), 90% of the roses and other flowers (totalling 18,000 tons) sold on Valentine’s Day pass through this U.S. airport, from where they leave for their final destinations throughout the country.

Preparing for a day like today requires at least a month of work. According to Avianca and Latam airlines, quoted by the newspaper El Tiempo, around 515 flights have arrived at the Miami airport with shipments of flowers chartered by the two major Latin American airlines.

Employment generation in Colombia

This type of shipments requires special care, taking into account the delicacy of the product, its expiration date and possible pests that require strict sanitary controls. This makes it necessary to have impressive logistics for cultivation, selection, controls, packaging and shipping. In Colombia, Valentine’s Day generates around 200,000 jobs, mainly for women, and 60% of the profitability of flower exporting companies.

By region, 79% of the area cultivated by the Colombian flower industry is located in the Bogota savannah, 17% in Antioquia and 4% in other departments, including Valle del Cauca and Coffee region. Thus, the periphery surrounding the country’s capital is where most of this important industry for Colombia is located.

Since the beginning of the year, activity in the cultivation centers has been frenetic. Starting today, a break will precede a new cycle of high activity, coinciding with Mother’s Day, during the month of May.