MIAMI
While Cupid might get the symbolic credit, the true engine of Valentine’s Day romance is a cargo warehouse at Miami International Airport. In the weeks before Feb. 14, agricultural specialists there will process roughly 990 million cut flower stems, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
About 90% of all fresh cut flowers sold for Valentine’s Day in the United States pass through Miami, with the remaining 10% entering via Los Angeles.
The blooms—roses, carnations, pompons, hydrangeas, chrysanthemums, and gypsophila—arrive on hundreds of flights, primarily from Colombia and Ecuador, before fanning out to florists and supermarkets across the U.S. and Canada.
Miami’s largest flower importer, Avianca Cargo, has ramped up operations for the holiday. Based in Medellín, Colombia, the company is transporting about 19,000 tons of flowers on 320 dedicated cargo flights, more than double its usual volume, CEO Diogo Elias said Friday.
“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.”
By James Kisoo
