Bogota: Millions of Colombian roses are making their way to the US just in time for Valentine’s Day, but economic hurdles are threatening the country’s booming flower industry.
Colombia, the world’s second-largest flower exporter after the Netherlands, shipped around 65,000 tons of fresh-cut blooms between January 15 and February 9. The Valentine’s season typically accounts for about 20 percent of the sector’s annual sales, making it a crucial period for growers who supply most of the US market.
Yet the holiday rush is clouded by challenges. A 10 percent US tariff, imposed last April under President Donald Trump’s trade measures, hits the industry hard, with the US taking roughly 80 percent of Colombia’s flower exports.
At the same time, a stronger peso- up nearly 12 percent against the dollar over the past year and a 23 percent rise in minimum wage are squeezing margins and eroding competitiveness.
Flower cultivation is Colombia’s most labor-intensive agricultural sector, employing about 240,000 workers across 10,500 hectares (26,000 acres). The industry supports thousands of families and local communities, making its stability a key concern for the country’s economy.
This year, growers face another unusual challenge: Valentine’s Day falls on a Saturday. “It’s preferable that it falls on a weekday because people are used to sending flowers to offices as a surprise,” said Augusto Solano, president of industry group Asocolflores.
For Colombia’s flower industry, Valentine’s Day remains a vital lifeline, but rising costs, trade barriers, and changing market conditions are testing its resilience. The season is a reminder that even the most beautiful blooms rely on strong economic roots to thrive.
