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Colombia’s Flower Industry Braces for Valentine’s Day Surge

Colombia’s Flower Export Industry Prepares for Valentine’s Day

As Valentine’s Day approaches, Colombia’s flower producers are gearing up to send a substantial shipment of flowers to the United States. With less than two weeks remaining until the holiday, numerous flower farms in Chia, Colombia, are mobilizing their resources to meet demand.

Despite the challenges posed by a 25 percent customs tariff on imports instituted by the U.S., Colombian flower exporters express significant concern about potential disruptions. “There are still uncertainties and issues at play. My hope is that these problems do not escalate before Valentine’s Day, which is the second most critical period for our industry,” remarked Augusto Solana, president of Colombia’s flower exporters association. He noted that export flights have already seen an uptick in activity.

Colombia ranks as the second-largest flower exporter globally, trailing only the Netherlands, and accounts for approximately 20 percent of the world’s flower market. In comparison, Ecuador holds a smaller share of 12 percent.

While Colombian flowers are exported worldwide, some markets, such as the Kurdistan Region, source their flowers from Ecuador. Shahid Abdulaziz, a flower trader in the Kurdistan Region, explained, “We do not import flowers from Colombia; instead, we import from Ecuador, which is more accessible and offers higher professionalism in their operations.”

The financial stakes are high for Colombian flower producers, who face a potential loss of $1.56 billion annually in exports to the U.S. amid rapidly changing trade dynamics. “We must remain vigilant because the global landscape is shifting quickly. The United States is altering the rules of engagement,” Solana added.

In preparation for Valentine’s Day, Colombia is set to export 60,000 tons of flowers to the U.S. This sector directly and indirectly supports about 200,000 jobs in Colombia, highlighting its critical role in the national economy.

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