Bogotá, February 7, 2025 – Federal Express Corporation, the world’s largest transportation company, announced that it expects to transport around 800,000 kilos of flowers from Colombia and more than 290,000 kilos from Ecuador during the month of February for the Valentine’s season, one of the most important days for the flower industry. FedEx plays a crucial role in the timely delivery of fresh flowers to millions of people around the world. This year, the company has strengthened its capabilities to manage the extraordinary volume of shipments, ensuring that the floral arrangements reach their destination in time to celebrate love and friendship.
In 2024, exports from the Colombian flower sector recorded an increase of 8.8%, consolidating the United States as the main destination. Colombia allocates 95% of its flower production to export, which positions the country as the second largest exporter in the world, with a 20% share in the global market. The regions of Cundinamarca and Antioquia concentrate 98% of 10,000 cultivated hectares, highlighting emblematic varieties such as roses (19.1%), claves and chrysanthemums. This sector is a key pillar for rural employment, generating more than 200,000 jobs, of which 70% are occupied by women.
Exports from the Ecuadorian floral sector will reach approximately $997 million in 2024, consolidating the United States as its main market. Ecuador allocates a significant part of its flower production to exportation, positioning itself as the third largest exporter in the world, with a share of 10% in the global market. The regions surrounding Quito concentrate a large part of cultivated hectares, highlighting emblematic varieties such as roses, summer flowers and claves. This sector is a key pillar for rural employment, generating more than 53,000 direct jobs. Furthermore, the industry has proposed the ambitious goal of doubling its exports by the year 2035, aspiring to reach $2,000 million dollars.
“Every year, Valentine’s Day represents a unique logistical challenge due to the natural loss of flowers and the need to deliver them quickly and carefully. Our team is working tirelessly to ensure that millions of flowers reach the United States efficiently and safely, supporting global trade and helping one of the main export products from Colombia and Ecuador reach its customers in every corner of the world”, commented Eduardo Garrido, Senior Operations Manager FedEx ramp in Colombia and Ecuador.
FedEx has recently strengthened its operations with a new dedicated air route that connects the Ecuadorian market directly with Miami, where the company has the largest cold chain facilities at its cargo center at Miami International Airport. In this way, FedEx strengthens its competitiveness in the transportation of perished products and ensures a reliable service for your customers during one of the busiest commercial activity periods.
The company has implemented innovative solutions such as International Priority DirectDistribution® (IPD), a service that offers deliveries in 48 to 72 hours from Bogotá and Medellín, in Colombia, and 72 hours from Quito, Ecuador. This ground service strengthens FedEx’s solutions for shipping flowers and perished products from abroad, which also allows fresh flowers to reach North America in less than three days, reaching 99% of directions in the United States.
San Valentín represents a season of high demand for flower exports, especially from Colombia and Ecuador, which has established itself as one of the main flower producers in the world. Efficiency in the logistics chain and advances in air transport are key to ensuring that flowers reach international markets quickly, maintaining their quality and freshness. This dynamic benefits producers and exporters, highlighting the strategic importance of the floral industry in the global economy during this festival and throughout the year with an offer of varied products to celebrate the 365 days.
About Federal Express Corporation
Federal Express Corporation is the largest express transportation company in the world, offering fast and reliable deliveries in more than 220 countries and territories. Federal Express Corporation uses global air and ground network to speed delivery of urgent shipments
