DHL to Export 15 Million Flowers

PLANTATION, Fla.—DHL said it is exporting an estimated 15 million fresh-cut flowers from Latin America for the Valentine’s Day season.

A combination of roses, carnations, tropical flowers and greens originating from Colombia, Ecuador and Costa Rica has already made its way into the U.S. and other destinations that celebrate the Feb. 14 holiday, including the U.K., Germany, the Netherlands and Russia.

DHL consolidates floral parcels from growers in Latin America and uses bonded cold storage facilities to keep the product cool prior to air transport and immediately upon arrival. Ninety percent of the floral shipments destined for the U.S. market go through Miami, where they undergo agricultural inspection at the DHL terminal.

In the U.S., DHL has added refrigerated trucks and dedicated flights for some of the most popular floral retailers.

DHL customer VistaFlor Corp., a Colombian grower that exports bouquets, wedding flowers and arrangements to the U.S., will see its export volume soar from its normal average 5,000 boxes of flowers per week to as many as 53,000 boxes during the week leading up to Valentine's Day, according to DHL. In addition to maintaining VistaFlor's shipments at the required 36 degrees Fahrenheit (2 to 4 degrees Celsius), DHL handles shipment documentation, freight brokerage, customs paperwork and clearance processes.