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WHAT: Officials from Miami International Airport, Avianca Cargo, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection will provide a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the arrival and inspection process for the final flower imports before Valentine’s Day.
MIA receives 90.5 percent of all flowers imported to the U.S., primarily from South America, for a total of 370,946 tons valued at over $1.74 billion annually. CBP agriculture specialists meticulously inspect flower imports to ensure they are pest-free before reaching sweethearts nationwide.
During the peak import season in January 2023, MIA received a total of 48,063 tons of flower imports, or an average of 1,550 tons per day, at a total value of $222.5 million. Flower imports increased by 12% last season compared to the previous year, and this year is expected to be another record year.
To accommodate for this record-setting growth, Avianca Cargo recently expanded and modernized its warehouse jetfloor by 83% to increase its storage capacity and simultaneously lower the risk of cargo damage.
WHO: Diogo Elias, Senior Vice President, Avianca Cargo; Javier Mesa, Asocolflores; Ralph Cutie, Director, Miami-Dade Aviation Department; Daniel Alonso, Port Director, Customs & Border Protection; and, Abel, Serrano, Assistant Port Director, Agriculture, Customs & Border Protection.
WHEN: Monday, February 12, 2024 at 10:30 a.m.
WHERE: Avianca Cargo Warehouse
MIA Cargo Building 708
1750 N.W. 66th Avenue (Rooftop parking, second Avianca Cargo tower)
Directions: N.W. 72nd Ave. (Milam Dairy Rd.) to 16th St., turn right to N.W. 68th Ave., turn left to 22nd St., turn right, and drive-up ramp to rooftop parking, turn left to end of the lot, turn right to Bldg. 708.
Note: Media must RSVP by 4:00 p.m. on Friday, February 9, 2023, with their full name, date of birth, and citizenship status to be escorted post-security.
