Pro tip: Ran across a stat that 70% of cut flowers in the US come from overseas. Caught me off guard.

I was reading through some industry reports last week and found out that Colombia sends us over 4 billion stems a year. That surprised me because I always assumed California grew most of our stock. On one hand, it makes sense with the climate and cheaper labor. On the other hand, it feels like we lose something by not supporting local growers more. Does anyone else wrestle with this? Do you try to source domestic when you can, or is it just too expensive compared to imports?

3 comments

3 Comments

colegarcia4d ago

Honestly that stat kind of changed my mind too.

keith1645d ago

“4 billion stems a year” sounds like they’re trying to drown us in flowers. I guess it’s cheaper but yeah, feels weird knowing my Valentine’s bouquet probably has more air miles than I do.

lisas784d ago

Right? I’m picturing my roses collecting more frequent flyer miles than I ever will. “Sorry babe, these tulips have been to Colombia and back, they’re basically world travelers.” Seriously though, I guess it beats the alternative, but it definitely takes the romance out of it when you realize your bouquet flew halfway across the planet to sit in a gas station cooler for a week.