What It Takes To Import Flowers For Valentine's Day

What It Takes To Import Flowers For Valentine's Day
A flower vendor carry bouquet of flowers for display at the flower street called Dangwa on Valentine's Day Thursday Feb. 14, 2013 in Manila, Philippines. Business is brisk at this flower street and flower shops around Manila, with red roses being the most popular among the buyers. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez)
A flower vendor carry bouquet of flowers for display at the flower street called Dangwa on Valentine's Day Thursday Feb. 14, 2013 in Manila, Philippines. Business is brisk at this flower street and flower shops around Manila, with red roses being the most popular among the buyers. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez)

Millions of flowers are expected to arrive at Miami's International Airport for Valentine's Day, the Super Bowl for flower importers in the U.S. and for growers in Latin America. UPS alone estimates that in the 20 days leading up to V-Day, it processes more than 3,000 tons of flowers. This is three times the normal amount during off-season.

Most of the flowers we give and receive on Valentine's Day in the U.S. come from Colombia and Ecuador, and it takes between 5-8 days for the flower to go from a farm in South America to the hands of your loved ones anywhere in the U.S.

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