Ecuador continues to showcase its remarkable position in the flower export industry with a historic record during the 2025 Valentine’s Day season. From Quito’s Mariscal Sucre International Airport, Ecuadorian flowers—especially roses known for their exceptional quality—once again captivated international markets.
This year, 28,779 tons of flowers were exported through Quito Airport, marking an 8.7% growth compared to the 24,466 tons shipped during the same season in 2024. According to official information from Quiport’s Operations Department, there were 534 outbound flights, representing a 9.6% increase over the 487 flights last year.
These results far exceeded initial forecasts, which anticipated growth of only 3% to 5%. The success was attributed to the outstanding quality of Ecuadorian flowers combined with efficient coordination between Quiport, airlines, palletizers, and cargo and consolidation agencies.
The peak day of the season was Wednesday, February 5, when 1,847 metric tons of flowers were shipped on 31 flights.
During this 22-day high export season, the main destinations were cargo hubs in the U.S. and Europe, from where the flowers were distributed to their final destinations. To meet this high demand, 20 cargo airlines, both regular and charter, operated from Quito’s terminal, ensuring efficient and secure logistics for one of Ecuador’s most iconic products.
The Mariscal Sucre International Airport has a 13,000-square-meter cargo terminal, home to four palletizing companies. Its cargo platform allows simultaneous operations for up to six large aircraft, including Code E models (Boeing 777-200) and Code F models (Boeing 747-8). Thanks to its infrastructure and operational efficiency, Quito Airport secured fifth place in the 2024 ‘TOP 20 Air Cargo in the Region’ ranking by the Airports Council International for Latin America and the Caribbean (ACI-LAC).
Flower exports from Quito Airport continue to be a key driver of the economy for the central-northern highlands and the country as a whole, demonstrating Ecuador’s excellence in air cargo logistics and the global prestige of its products.
