Logistics

The Grueling Flower Shipment Marathon: Perishable Logistics Networks Push to Breaking Point

The Grueling Flower Shipment Marathon: Perishable Logistics Networks Push to Breaking Point

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The Grueling Flower Shipment Marathon: Perishable Logistics Networks Push to Breaking Point

Logistics provider C.H. Robinson is leveraging its global services and temperature-controlled networks to facilitate the delivery of approximately 56 million pounds of fresh flowers through Mother's Day. The company notes that roughly 70 percent of all flower shipments occur during a three-month window encompassing Valentine's Day and Mother's Day. During this period, truck load demand surges by as much as 3,000 percent compared to the rest of the year. This short-term demand spike compounds existing challenges for globally sourced, highly perishable products that depend on limited temperature-controlled transportation and storage capacity.

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C.H. Robinson operates the largest temperature-controlled capacity network in North America and transports 7 to 10 million cases of flowers annually through temperature-controlled air, truck load, and less-than-truckload (LTL) services, supported by a warehouse and distribution network. This network maximizes speed, efficiency, and freshness.

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According to statistics from C.H. Robinson's flower logistics division, 90 percent of all flower shipments across North America pass through Miami after departing growing regions in Latin America. Flowers are chilled to 34 degrees immediately after harvest and maintained at this temperature throughout their entire journey. Last year, U.S. flower sales reached 8 billion dollars, a 48 percent increase from 2018, with approximately 23 million flowers sold on Mother's Day.

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Key Points
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  1. C.H. Robinson delivers 56 million pounds of fresh flowers through Mother's Day.

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  2. Seventy percent of annual flower shipments occur within the three-month window between Valentine's Day and Mother's Day.

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  3. Demand surges by as much as 3,000 percent compared to the rest of the year.

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  4. The company operates the largest temperature-controlled capacity network in North America.

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  5. Flowers are chilled to 34 degrees to preserve freshness.

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  6. U.S. flower sales reached 8 billion dollars, a 48 percent increase over the past five years.

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News Link: https://www.thescxchange.com/articles/10188-annual-flower-shipment-rush-pushes-perishable-logistics-networks-to-new-limits

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