The countdown to Valentine's Day 2026 has already begun in Ecuador. In the country's main flower-growing regions, producers and marketers are working against the clock to ensure that each rose arrives in perfect condition to international markets on the most important date of the year for the industry.
Ideal Weather Conditions in Ecuador Boost Valentine's Day Production
The past month has brought favorable news from the crops. In Cayambe, one of the main production areas, daytime temperatures have averaged 17 degrees Celsius, while nighttime temperatures dropped to -0.8 degrees Celsius. Meanwhile, in Cotopaxi, average temperatures of 14.6 degrees were recorded during the day, with lows of -1.8 degrees at night.
Solar radiation has remained at high levels without reaching critical ranges, which has allowed for greater accumulation of growing degree days in recent weeks. This factor has been crucial for flowers to develop at the proper pace. Producers who constantly monitor weather forecasts and every detail of their plantations to guarantee flowers of optimal quality note:
"Conditions have been very good for cultivation."
For the weeks leading up to harvest, a slight decrease in temperatures is expected, with anticipated highs of approximately 21 degrees in production areas. This forecast is received with optimism by flower growers, as it represents lower temperatures than those experienced in previous weeks, which favors the final quality of the product and ensures flowers are ready just in time.
Marketers Activate Logistics Machinery
While farms perfect their crops, marketers have already initiated the pre-booking process for orders, reserving space on flights and consolidating advance orders. Planning has been careful, and farms report satisfactory order closings, with expectations of matching or exceeding 2025 results.
Quito's Mariscal Sucre International Airport, following improvements made in 2024, is ready to handle the cargo volume that the season demands. Cargo agencies anticipate good availability of space on aircraft, a critical factor for export success. Flights carrying the first shipments of flowers are scheduled to depart starting January 22, heading to the main international hubs. From there, the flowers will be redistributed to more than 50 countries worldwide, where consumers ultimately enjoy Ecuadorian flowers.
The Valentine's Day 2025 numbers set an encouraging precedent:
- 28,779 tons of flowers were exported, representing 8.7% growth
- 534 outbound flights, a 9.6% increase compared to the previous year
- 20 cargo airlines operated in Quito to meet demand to major hubs in the United States and Europe.
For 2026, the industry estimates maintaining these figures or even recording slight growth, consolidating Ecuador as one of the main flower suppliers worldwide. With weather on its side, well-oiled logistics, and accumulated experience, Ecuador's flower sector advances confidently toward what could be another successful Valentine's Day. Join our magazine, 'Ecuador y Sus Flores', to be up to date always!
