Tag: Costa Rica

DHL is exporting an estimated 15 million fresh cut flowers from Latin America this Valentine’s Day season, for delivery to customers in the U.S. and around the world. 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., as well as other destinations that celebrate the February 14 holiday, including the UK, Germany, the Netherlands and Russia.

DHL consolidates floral parcels from growers in Latin America and protects the life of the flowers by using 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 Miami.

DHL customer VistaFlor Corp., a Colombian grower that exports bouquets, wedding flowers and arrangements to the U.S. for special occasions, 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. In addition to maintaining VistaFlor’s shipments at the required 36 degrees Fahrenheit (2 to 4 degrees Celsius), DHL handles the shipment documentation, freight brokerage, customs paperwork and clearance processes.

For its U.S. customers, DHL will deliver millions of flowers to retailers and consumers on or before February 14. DHL in the U.S. has added refrigerated trucks and dedicated flights exclusively for some of the most popular floral retailers and e-tailers.