Federal Express Corporation, the world’s largest express transportation company, projects it will move more than 2.8 million pounds of flowers from Ecuador and Colombia during the Mother’s Day season, estimating a 19% increase in export volume compared to the previous season.
Ecuador ranks as the world’s third-largest flower exporter, with over 6,200 hectares under cultivation and around 120,000 direct jobs. Mariscal Sucre International Airport has recorded steady growth in air cargo handling, establishing itself as one of the most important terminals in Latin America and the Caribbean by annual volume. For 2026, export volumes are projected to increase from 37,000 to 39,000 tons, driven by demand of flowers from key markets such as the United States and Europe[1].
“From FedEx, we see how e-commerce is transforming the way fresh flowers reach international markets, and during high-demand periods such as Mother’s Day, technology, data, and reliable international logistics are key to connecting Latin American producers with buyers in North America in an agile, visible, and predictable way,” said Anggy Mier, global sales manager for FedEx in the Andean and South Cone Region.
An example of this new business model is the company’s collaboration with iBuyFlowers, the first online B2B marketplace for fresh flowers, which directly connects producers with international buyers. iBuyFlowers has developed a digital model that simplifies the purchase of more than 9,000 varieties of flowers sourced from 100 partner farms[2], while FedEx supports the process with its logistics capabilities, beginning immediately after the flowers are cut and ensuring they arrive fresh at their final destination in less than three days.
“iBuyFlowers was born out of direct experience in the floriculture industry. Our team has spent years working on farms, in flower shop operations, and in floral design for events, which has given us a deep understanding of the challenges at every stage of the supply chain. The expertise in perishable goods that FedEx provides, with its specialized teams at origin and in Miami, along with its predictability and real-time tracking tools, feels like an extension of our team, helping us reach customers who value freshness, speed, and reliability in every order,” said Anouk Beeren, co-CEO of iBuyFlowers.
In international e-commerce for fresh flowers, data plays a central role. It enables more accurate demand forecasting, improves order management, helps coordinate seasonal peaks, and supports a more consistent experience across every stage of the supply chain. This approach is especially relevant during high-volume periods, when the ability to plan ahead and respond quickly can make the difference between a successful delivery and a missed opportunity.
To support this season, FedEx will strengthen its operations with 17 additional flights—14 from Bogotá and three from Quito—complementing its regular frequencies to Miami. The company also offers solutions such as FedEx International Priority Direct Distribution® (IPD), which enables deliveries within 48 to 72 hours from Quito to North America. Over the past two years, FedEx has strengthened its value proposition in Ecuador with a direct flight connecting Buenos Aires, Santiago de Chile, and Quito to Miami International Airport, home to the company’s largest cold chain facilities worldwide.