FedEx Express, a subsidiary of FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) and the world’s largest express transportation company, anticipates delivering over 1,100,000 kilos of flowers from Colombia and Ecuador to the United States on February 14th for Valentine’s Day. This figure represents an 8% increase compared to the previous year.
According to data from Asocolflores, flower exports from Colombia recorded US$1.75 billion in sales between January and October 2023. 92.5% of these flowers were transported by air, highlighting the fundamental role of air transportation and logistics in the international trade of Colombian flowers.
“Flowers are extremely susceptible to environmental conditions, making it essential to have an experienced logistics provider that offers a quick and efficient option to ensure they reach their destination in optimal conditions,” said Eduardo Garrido, Senior Manager of Ramps and Customs at FedEx Express Colombia. “At FedEx, we work strategically to facilitate the transport of fresh flowers, providing the best human talent, air capabilities, and cold room facilities at airports in Bogotá and Medellín, as well as in Miami, our entry port into the United States, and we also enhanced our FedEx International Priority DirectDistribution® services to address commercial milestones like Valentine’s Day,” said Garrido.
Last June, in a continuous effort to enhance its value proposition to meet market needs, FedEx Express introduced the FedEx International Priority DirectDistribution® (IPD) service with 48-hour delivery available from Bogotá and Medellín. This complements the existing 72-hour IPD delivery options and strengthens the solutions the company offers to ship flowers and other Colombian flagship perishable products. Thus, the export process begins immediately after fresh flowers are cut on Colombian farms, ensuring recipients in North America receive their bouquets in less than three days at 99% of delivery addresses in the United States.
To address the high demand during commercial milestones, the company has strengthened its capabilities to provide shorter transit and transport times while ensuring more efficient operations throughout the supply chain. FedEx Express will enhance its air capacity for this year’s season with 14 additional flights between Colombia and the United States exclusively dedicated to flowers. Additionally, the expansion of storage space and cold room capabilities at ramps in Bogotá and Medellín, along with the expansion of its air cargo hub at Miami International Airport, has been crucial in positioning FedEx Express and its competitive advantages in transporting perishable goods. With this, the company aims to protect all sectors and provide its customers with reliable and exceptional service.