Miami International Airport: The Heart of U.S. Valentine's Day Flower Imports

Nearly 90% of Valentine's Day flowers in the U.S. are imported through Miami, involving rigorous inspections and significant logistical efforts.

Around 90% of the roses and fresh cut flowers sold in the U.S. for Valentine's Day pass through Miami International Airport, arriving mainly from Colombia and Ecuador.
Customs and Border Protection agriculture specialists inspect the flowers for pests and diseases, processing about 832 million stems and intercepting 1,100 plant pests this season.
The Valentine's flower rush begins in mid-January, with airlines like Avianca doubling their cargo flights to Miami and employing refrigerated cargo planes, warehouses, and trucks to keep flowers fresh.
The flower industry employs thousands in South Florida and Colombia, with Valentine's Day representing a significant portion of annual sales.
Environmental concerns are raised over greenhouse gas emissions from air cargo flights, with some advocating for buying U.S.-grown flowers.