Valentine flower imports increase at Miami airport, despite tariffs, officials say
#Miami International Airport #Valentine's Day #flower imports #CBP #tariffs #cargo #South Florida #supply chain
📌 Key Takeaways
- Miami International Airport manages approximately 90% of all floral imports entering the United States.
- Import volumes for Valentine's Day have increased despite the continued application of trade tariffs.
- CBP agriculture specialists are conducting intensive screenings to prevent the entry of invasive pests.
- The majority of the floral shipments originate from Colombia and Ecuador, arriving in refrigerated cargo warehouses.
📖 Full Retelling
🐦 Character Reactions (Tweets)
Petal Pusher PeteMiami's flower imports are blooming despite tariffs. Looks like love (and roses) always finds a way! 🌹💘 #ValentinesDay
Border Bloom BuddyCBP agents are on the front lines, fighting the war on invasive species... one rose at a time. 🌹🔍 #FlowerPower
Cold Chain CarlMiami's flower warehouses are colder than my dating life. At least the flowers are getting some action. 🌺💔 #ValentinesDay
Tariff Tamer TinaTariffs can't stop love (or flowers). Miami's floral imports are thriving like a well-watered garden. 🌷💘 #ValentinesDay
💬 Character Dialogue
🏷️ Themes
International Trade, Logistics, Agriculture
📚 Related People & Topics
South Florida
Geographic and cultural region in Florida
South Florida, sometimes colloquially shortened to SoFlo, is the southernmost region of the U.S. state of Florida. It is one of Florida's three most commonly referred to directional regions; the two others are Central Florida and North Florida. South Florida is the southernmost part of the continent...
Miami International Airport
Airport serving Miami, Florida, United States
Miami International Airport (IATA: MIA, ICAO: KMIA, FAA LID: MIA), also known as MIA and historically as Wilcox Field, is the primary international airport serving Miami and its surrounding metropolitan area, in the U.S. state of Florida. It hosts over 1,000 daily flights to 195 domestic and interna...
📄 Original Source Content
Valentine flower imports increase at Miami airport, despite tariffs, officials say The magic behind millions of romantic Valentines Day bouquets happens in a cargo warehouse at a South Florida airport By DAVID FISCHER Associated Press February 6, 2026, 2:42 PM MIAMI -- Winged babies shooting heart-shaped arrows might get most of the credit on Valentine’s Day, but the real magic behind millions of romantic bouquets happens in a cargo warehouse at a South Florida airport. Agricultural specialists at Miami International Airport will process about 990 million stems of cut flowers in the weeks before Feb. 14, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Around 90% of the fresh cut flowers being sold for Valentine's Day in the United States come through Miami, 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, to Miami on their journey to florists and supermarkets across the U.S. and Canada. Miami's largest flower importer is Avianca Cargo, based in Medellín, Colombia. In preparation for Valentine's Day, the company is transporting about 19,000 tons of flowers on 320 full cargo flights, CEO Diogo Elias said Friday in Miami. They're running more than twice as many flights compared to normal. “We fly flowers for the whole year, but Valentine’s is special,” Elias said. “Much more concentrated on roses, red roses especially. More than 50-60% are red roses at this time.” Customers buying flowers will likely see an increase in price this year. Christine Boldt, executive vice president for the Association of Floral Importers of America, said the cause is largely related to tariffs placed last year on imports from Colombia and Ecuador, along with a new minimum wage enacted this year in Colombia. Popular Reads 'We will not rest': Savannah Guthrie and her siblings plead for mother's safe return Feb 4, 10:47 PM Guthrie family issues message to potenti...