Officials from Miami International Airport, Avianca Cargo, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection will provide a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the arrival and inspection process for the final flower imports before Valentine’s Day.
MIA receives 90.5 percent of all flowers imported to the U.S., primarily from South America, for a total of 370,946 tons valued at over $1.74 billion annually. CBP agriculture specialists meticulously inspect flower imports to ensure they are pest-free before reaching sweethearts nationwide.
During the peak import season in January 2023, MIA received a total of 48,063 tons of flower imports, or an average of 1,550 tons per day, at a total value of $222.5 million. Flower imports increased by 12% last season compared to the previous year, and this year is expected to be another record year.
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