We gift flowers as a sign of appreciation and love at all times of the year but receiving them on Valentine’s Day carries special significance. Unsurprisingly, February is one of the busiest times of the year for the flower industry with millions of stems offered as symbols of love and appreciation. But where do these flowers come from and how do they appear so effortlessly on our local florist and supermarket shelves?
Kenya, a leading exporter of fresh-cut flowers, plays a crucial role in supplying flowers across the world and IAG Cargo makes sure these blooms arrive in perfect condition ahead of the big day.
Roses are red, violets are blue….
In the months leading up to the most romantic day of the year, Kenyan flower farms increase production to make sure bouquets are blooming with everything from roses to violets.
David Dass, Head of Commerical at VP Floriculture in Kenya, highlights the scale of operations during this peak period, “During the Valentine’s period, we harvest about 1000 tonnes of cut flowers, approximately 60% of which goes all the way to the UK. And that is why we rely on IAG Cargo to transport the flowers in a temperature-controlled environment to make sure they arrive fresh and bring a smile to the face of the recipient.”
With the seasonal rush beginning in late January and extending into mid-February, the bellies of our aircraft throughout this period are lined with thousands of stems ready to be selected for that perfect bouquet.
Conan D’Souza, Freight Wings Limited, notes that the efficiency of IAG Cargo’s operations is crucial in order to meet consumer demand, “As a freight forwarder, we trust IAG Cargo to provide our customers with a direct route to market to ensure their product reaches its final destination in optimum condition.”
Time is of the essence
Due to the highly perishable nature of flowers, their transportation requires specialist conditions with timing and temperature being the key to freshness.
IAG Cargo’s specialist expertise in handling delicate shipments ensures that flowers harvested on farms one day can be on supermarket shelves on the other side of the world the next, just in time for Valentines Day.
Our Constant Fresh service is critical to maintaining quality. This service ensures:
Cold chain logistics from farm to market, ensuring perishables stay fresher for longer
Direct routes from the runway to our airside facilities to minimise transit times ensuring perishables stay cool
EU-approved Border Inspection Posts at London Heathrow, London Gatwick and Madrid-Barajas Airport
Delivering the perfect bouquet
Our extensive global network linking destinations across six continents is critical to supporting the needs of the flower industry.
Kenyan flower farms have relied on IAG Cargo’s ability to deliver for decades, with some of our partnerships spanning more than 40 years. Our direct flights from Nairobi to London Heathrow provide a fast and reliable connection that is essential for the flower industry. Conan emphasises the importance of our partnership, “The direct route to market from Kenya to the UK makes IAG Cargo critical for our customers and their products because of the perishable nature of the roses that we handle.”
Our Madrid hub also plays a crucial role in managing the seasonal surge in flower shipments leading up to Valentine’s Day, ensuring smooth and efficient operations even at peak volumes. With direct widebody services from Latin America and a highly skilled operations team trained in handling perishable cargo, we maintain the highest standards of freshness for every flower. Additionally, Madrid’s daily flights to our London Heathrow hub provide vital connectivity to key markets in India and Asia, while its extensive trucking network ensures swift distribution of flowers across Spain and the rest of Europe.
Behind every Valentine’s bouquet is an unseen network of farmers and logistics experts working together to cultivate and protect the perfect, delicate petals of millions of flowers. And at the very heart of it all, is IAG Cargo delivering flowers in peak condition and bringing joy to loved ones on Valentine’s Day.
Further information about our Constant Fresh service can be found here.
