In the cut-flower business, time is everything. Every delay, whether from customs procedures, poor handling, or gaps in cold chain management, quickly strips value from these delicate products. For this reason, airfreight remains essential in the global movement of flowers.
Flowers rank among the most perishable commercial products. The race to move them from farm to retail shelves starts within hours of harvest. Airfreight allows flowers to reach global markets within hours, unlike sea or road freight, which can take days or weeks.
Maintaining product quality demands careful temperature control, between 0°C and 4°C, with humidity around 95 percent to prevent dehydration. This system relies on refrigerated trucks, climate-controlled storage, and pre-cooled packaging, with air cargo services at the center of these operations.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) reports that the global airfreight value of flowers has grown from US$852 million in 2003 to US$3.7 billion in 2024. This growth reflects changes in how flowers are imported and exported around the world.
On the export side, Colombia, Ecuador, and Kenya continue to dominate, with Ethiopia now emerging as a notable supplier. While trade liberalization has opened new doors for these economies, their progress would stall without modern air cargo systems.
Balancing Packaging Needs
In flower logistics, packaging must do two things at once: i.e protect flowers from environmental changes and remain light enough to keep airfreight affordable. The trade currently uses ventilated fiberboard boxes and hydrating gel packs, though changes are underway. Eco-friendly packaging options and RFID tracking technology are starting to influence how flowers are packed and monitored in transit.
Still, packaging is just part of a much larger operation. Every shipment depends on precise coordination among exporters, handlers, airlines, and customs authorities. Adding to the challenge is the need for phytosanitary permits, CITES certifications, and compliance with strict import inspections. Any delay here can cause immediate financial losses and harm to supplier reputations.
Behind-the-Scenes Improvements
Much of the growth in flower exports from developing countries has been made possible by steady improvements in logistics systems. IATA highlights improved refrigeration and logistics as key to the success of countries like Kenya and Ethiopia. While these upgrades often go unnoticed, they have transformed how flowers reach their markets.
Today’s logistics tools include smart containers, control tower monitoring, and temperature sensors that send real-time data to supply chain partners. This not only keeps products fresh but also improves accountability along the journey.
Minimizing temperature fluctuations extends the lifespan of delicate blooms, ensuring they reach consumers in pristine condition. The focus is not just on getting flowers to market but ensuring they arrive looking as fresh as when they were cut.
A Chain within a Chain
Flower shipments do not move like ordinary cargo. The floriculture cold chain is a specialized sector with its own processes, infrastructure, and knowledge. This is not just logistics — it is a specialized supply chain within the supply chain.
Some air carriers that have expanded into pharmaceutical logistics are now considering flowers as a similarly profitable opportunity. Time-sensitive, high-value, and closely linked to global events and holidays, flowers represent a small but important segment with strategic potential.