Every year, as Mother's Day and graduation season roll around, florists across the U.S. anticipate a surge in bouquets. But this year, soaring tariffs have turned that buzz into a headache.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau and the White House, most imported flowers come from Colombia, Ecuador, Canada, the Netherlands and Mexico. Their packaging \u000093from delicate wrappings to gift boxes\u000094 largely arrives from the Chinese mainland. Recent tariff hikes on both blooms and bundles have sent supply costs skyward.
"Our wholesale bills have nearly doubled," says a Miami shop owner who has supplied local ceremonies for years. Many small businesses now face a tough choice: keep prices steady and watch profits vanish, or hike rates and risk alienating long-time customers.
To stay afloat, some florists are leaning into local growers or shifting to minimalist designs that require less packaging. Others are betting on digital subscriptions and direct-to-door delivery to spread costs over time.
The coming weeks will test the resilience of these small businesses. As shoppers hunt for the perfect bouquet, the fate of U.S. florists will hinge on creative strategies and consumer solidarity in a season marked by both celebration and cost pressures.
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Florists in U.S. struggle with prices due to soaring tariffs
cgtn.com
