LAS VEGAS — Valentine’s Day was one of the busiest weeks of the year for Las Vegas florists and same-day delivery services, but what happens to the unsold flowers?
The demand for flowers remained high this Valentine’s Day. According to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Miami International Airport processed around 990 million cut flowers in the weeks leading up to the holiday. Roughly 90 percent of imported flowers are sold for the holiday, with most shipments entering through Miami and Los Angeles.
However, while demand is high for florists in the Valley and across the country, tariffs threatened Colombia’s flower industry. The U.S. accounts for around 80% of Colombia’s flower exports, and the 10% U.S. tariff imposed has created a tighter margin and poses widespread layoffs as a very near threat.
Christine Boldt, executive vice president for the Association of Floral Importers of America, said the added costs are being passed onto customers in the U.S.:
“This adds significant dollars to the bouquets that are coming in. Every consumer is gonna have to face additional costs.”
As a result, many flowers are left unsold. Many outlets like Tesco will either donate the unsold flowers to charities or heavily mark down prices to clear out inventory quickly.
