Heavy demand for long-stemmed roses and rosebuds has been reported by florists in the U.S. this Valentine's Day as Americans present the flower to their loved ones.
A universal symbol of love, the rose is regarded as the number one choice for those who choose flowers for their Valentine's Day gifting.
As per reports, around ninety percent of the flowers presented by Americans to their loved ones Feb. 14 are imported, and nearly all of those imports originate in Colombia and Ecuador. Columbia is one country which exports 450 million flowers for the Valentine's Day.
In fact, a Columbian flower farmer makes 12 percent of his annual income on Valentine's Day itself.
In the U.S., California produces 60 percent of American roses, but the vast number sold on Valentine's Day in the United States are imported, mostly from South America packed with smokable greens.
The Valentine's Day inspires the heaviest demand for long-stemmed roses after the Christmas season. To fulfil the tremendous number of orders for Valentine's Day flowers, florists have to hire additional help, work longer hours and acquire extra delivery vehicles and drivers.
Start the slideshow to take a look at the Valentine's Day rose imports in various stores across the country:
A florist arranges flowers in preparation for Valentine's Day in Los Angeles February 10, 2012. Ninety percent of the flowers Americans will give to their sweethearts on February 14 are imported, and nearly all of those imports originate in Colombia and Ecuador. ReutersA rose is pictured in a flower shop the day before Valentine's day in Vienna February 13, 2012.ReutersU.S. Customs and Border Protection Agriculture Inspection officers look for pests in boxes of imported roses at United Parcel Service (UPS)'s shipping facility at Miami International Airport in Miami, Florida February 10, 2012. Ninety percent of the flowers Americans will give to their sweethearts on February 14 are imported, and nearly all of those imports originate in Colombia and Ecuador. ReutersA man packages rose petals from Ecuador at Liberty Wholesale in the flower market in preparation for Valentine's Day in Los Angeles February 10, 2012. Ninety percent of the flowers Americans will give to their sweethearts on February 14 are imported, and nearly all of those imports originate in Colombia and Ecuador. Picture taken February 10, 2012. ReutersFlorist Trinidad Rojas, 36, prepares roses for Valentine's Day in Los Angeles February 10, 2012. Ninety percent of the flowers Americans will give to their sweethearts on February 14 are imported, and nearly all of those imports originate in Colombia and Ecuador. ReutersRoses are seen at a flower market in preparation for Valentine's Day in Los Angeles February 10, 2012. Ninety percent of the flowers Americans will give to their sweethearts on February 14 are imported, and nearly all of those imports originate in Colombia and Ecuador.ReutersA man sweeps the sidewalk outside a florist shop decked with roses in preparation for Valentine's Day in Los Angeles February 10, 2012. Ninety percent of the flowers Americans will give to their sweethearts on February 14 are imported, and nearly all of those imports originate in Colombia and Ecuador.ReutersA teddy bear made from flowers sits outside a florist store in preparation for Valentine's Day in Los Angeles February 10, 2012. Ninety percent of the flowers Americans will give to their sweethearts on February 14 are imported, and nearly all of those imports originate in Colombia and Ecuador. ReutersA woman buys flowers from a florist ahead of Valentine's Day in Los Angeles February 10, 2012. Ninety percent of the flowers Americans will give to their sweethearts on February 14 are imported, and nearly all of those imports originate in Colombia and Ecuador. ReutersRed roses are pictured in a flower shop the day before Valentine's day in Vienna February 13, 2012. Reuters
