US: “Tariff ripples reach all flowers, yet price hikes are mild”

The uncertainty surrounding tariffs has kept everyone in the floral supply chain on edge. While the situation for fresh cut flower tariffs has become clearer—ranging from 10% to 16.8% depending on the country of origin, according to the latest White House update—the broader implications remain complex. Flower prices are expected to rise, whether imported or domestically grown, though the increase is likely to be modest, according to Joost Bongaerts, CEO of Florabundance, who spoke to several retail florists. Despite these rising costs, he remains optimistic and anticipates strong sales for the upcoming Mother's Day holiday.

All flowers will be more expensive
A lot has been said and speculated about the increase in costs of imported flowers, however, domestically grown flowers are expected to raise in price too. Bongaerts: "At Florabundance, we're fortunate to source approximately 70% of our flowers from American growers between mid-March and late October. However, it's important to note that even domestically grown flowers aren't immune to pricing pressures. Many flower bulbs used for cut flower production in 2026 are being imported now, particularly from the Netherlands. These costs, combined with rising demand for local product, could gradually increase pricing for American-grown flowers as well."

Floral supplies - hope for a deal
Then there's the issue of floral supplies like vases, ribbons, floral foam, and more, most of which are sourced from China. The proposed 145% tariff on these imports has caused significant concern, but there is some hope for a more favorable outcome "My contacts in the floral supplies sector remain cautiously optimistic. Many suppliers are working off existing warehouse inventory, and there's hope a deal will be struck that keeps final tariff rates much lower than the initially proposed figures."

Flexibility and transparency
For florists, this environment calls for flexibility and transparency, Bongaerts stresses. "Sourcing locally can certainly help mitigate some pricing volatility, and many florists are rightly advising customers that local flowers offer both quality and cost benefits—especially during peak domestic growing seasons. At the same time, we all need to keep an eye on global developments, because this isn't just about flowers—it's about a highly interconnected supply chain."

Importance of strong relationships
Also for Florabundance, while tariffs add complexity, they also reinforce the importance of strong grower relationships, clear communication with clients, and strategic sourcing decisions. "Some of our trusted growers in South America are helping to absorb part of the cost increases tied to the new tariffs — working with us to keep pricing as stable as possible for our customers. Their support speaks to the strength of our global partnerships."

Mother's Day
What about Mother's Day? Bongaerts expects to sell lots of flowers, even if they cost more. "Retail florists need to make sure they do their homework and cost calculations. For example, gas prices have dropped by approximately 10% when comparing 2024 to 2025, and the inflation rate has decreased from 3.4% in April 2024 to 2.4% in March 2025. Meanwhile, grocery prices have increased by 2.4% over the same period. So it's not surprising that flower prices are rising too. And, when talking about the increase in flower prices, several retail florists told me that the added costs are being partially absorbed throughout the supply chain. As a result, the price increases for consumers remain minimal."