Did you know the majority of growers that supply the floral industry are located outside of the United States? Flowers are being cultivated in countries with exceptional climates that allow for optimal floral results for distributors.

Today, Colombia and Ecuador are the leading producers of flowers imported into the United States. Although South America has one of the best climates for flower farming, the cold chain supply is one of the most important factors to consider when shipping flowers.

As one of the top temperature-controlled trucking companies in America, ABCO Transportation is well familiar with transporting flowers. Read on to learn more about this topic in today’s blog article.

A Cold Long Journey

Flowers face a long journey from when they are harvested overseas and travel via train, truck or plane. After arriving in the United States, generally through the Port of Miami, flowers are sent through customs clearance and agriculture inspections. Once they are processed and cleared, they are now ready for refrigerated transportation to distributors.

Temperature Monitoring is Key

One of the key components in the journey of fresh flowers is the cold chain supply. Just like all perishable products, flowers also require specific temperatures and airflow to maintain freshness and the overall quality of the flower. The ability to monitor and control the temperatures of the flowers during transit is a key responsibility to ensure flowers look and smell as fresh as when they were picked.

On-time Deliveries, Courtesy of ABCO

Flowers also face a timing factor in that the amount of time they are in transit must be minimal as they need air and water to survive. On-time shipments are another key in maintaining a good flower lifespan.

These are some of the key factors with ensuring your flowers stay in prime condition during transit. Flowers must be handled with care every step of the way. During the entire process, they must be kept at optimal temperatures to maintain dormancy. If temperatures rise, they will start blooming prematurely and not make it to their destination.

Here at ABCO Transportation, we understand what it takes to ship temperature-sensitive freight. If you are in need of shipping any kind of temperature-sensitive freight, give us a call. We would love to speak with you about your business needs and how we can help.