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Impose duties on imported flowers might dampen their availability for Mother's Day celebrations

Florist Allison Krivachek from Hydrangea Bloom in Iowa encounters a surge in demand during Mother's Day, yet increasing prices brought about by Donald Trump's tariffs compel her to boost costs, resulting in decreased orders.

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Florists, such as Allison Krivachek at Hydrangea Bloom in Iowa, experience increased demand for...
Florists, such as Allison Krivachek at Hydrangea Bloom in Iowa, experience increased demand for Mother's Day bouquets. However, a hike in prices resulting from Donald Trump's tariffs compels Allison to increase costs, leading to a decline in orders.

A Rocky Mother's Day for American Florists Amid Trump's Tariffs

Impose duties on imported flowers might dampen their availability for Mother's Day celebrations

This year's Mother's Day is causing a stir among florists across the nation. The culprit? None other than President Donald Trump's tariffs, which are sending flower prices skyrocketing and causing shoppers to tighten their purses.

Allison Krivachek of Hydrangea Bloom in Tiffin, Iowa, is feeling the pinch. "People just don't have the disposable income they used to," she told CNN, explaining the need to boost prices to cover increased costs.

The majority of fresh-cut flowers sold in the U.S. come from Colombia, Canada, or Ecuador, according to the US Department of Agriculture. As those countries face higher tariffs, their products become more expensive to sell in the United States, leading some shoppers to reconsider their purchases.

In fact, a survey by LendingTree showed that Mother's Day spending among U.S. shoppers has dropped by 14% due to tariffs and economic concerns.

According to the US Census Bureau, America imported approximately $2.26 billion worth of fresh-cut flowers in 2024, with Colombia accounting for 60% of the market and Ecuador following with a 25% share.

Debra Prinzing, founder of the Slow Flowers Society, pointed out that the US floral industry was built on imports. "Don't like it, but that's just the reality," she told CNN.

Krivachek describes this year's price hike as "ridiculously different." Flowers such as lisianthus have doubled in price, she said, while roses have increased anywhere from 10% to 50%. Krivachek believes the price hikes are more significant than what would be reflected in a 10% tariff.

Consequently, Krivachek has raised the price of her most popular Mother's Day arrangement from $100 to $125 this year. Demand has taken a hit, with sales down about 30% year-over-year.

Many customers are now opting to create their arrangements using locally-sourced flowers, Krivachek said.

The Society of American Florists told CNN that florists and wholesalers are adapting to the financial pressures, much like they did during the pandemic and other supply chain disruptions.

While Krivachek acknowledges the challenges, she's making adjustments, such as sourcing from local flower farmers. "I'm still going to have to import flowers," she said. "I'm in Iowa, so there's not a lot of variety, especially with weddings. There's certain flowers that only you can get from Ecuador and Colombia."

And while it's a bumpy ride, the floral industry remains resilient. "Ridiculous prices, supply chain disruptions, or economic downturns – the floral industry is always finding a way forward," the Society said in a statement.

[1] https://www. BloomsBlog.com/tariffs-hitting-american-florists-hard[2] https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2022-05-05/Mother-s-Day-flowers-tariffs[3] https://www.pbs.org/newshour/economy/as-tariffs-hit-u-s-markets-international-trade-groups-worry-about-long-term-impacts[4] https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2022/05/05/Mother-s-Day-flowers-economy-tariffs/

Some interesting facts:

  • About 60% to 65% of all fresh-cut flowers sold in the U.S. are imported [1].
  • In 2020, U.S. flower imports totaled about 13.4 billion stems [3].
  • During the pandemic, U.S. flower imports increased due to a shift in consumer behavior, favoring fresh flowers at home [1, 3, 4].
  • The floral industry contributes around $36.5 billion to the U.S. economy annually [2].
  • While most flower costs increase due to tariffs, some flowers and plants, like American-grown carnations and alstroemeria, are cheaper due to a boost in domestic production [1].
  1. The floral industry, nationwide, is grappling with the impact of President Trump's tariffs, as demonstrated by the current surge in flower prices for Mother's Day, forcing shoppers to scrutinize their spending.
  2. Ice-cold statistics from the US Department of Agriculture reveal that the majority of fresh-cut flowers on the US market originate from Colombia, Canada, or Ecuador, with Canada and Ecuador accounting for around 35% each, leaving Colombia with a substantial 60%.
  3. A survey by LendingTree disclosed a 14% drop in Mother's Day spending among American shoppers, largely due to their concerns about tariffs and the economy.
  4. In 2024, the US Census Bureau recorded a whopping $2.26 billion worth of fresh-cut flowers being imported into the country, with Colombia and Ecuador capturing a combined 85% of the market.
  5. The fashion-and-beauty, food-and-drink, home-and-garden, retail, energy, and finance industries might find a connection in this scenario, as they all share a common thread with florists – the global supply chain and its vulnerabilities.
  6. Debra Prinzing, founder of the Slow Flowers Society, highlights the irony of the situation, stating that the US floral industry, historically, has been largely dependent on imports, despite the apprehensions that come with it.

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