Flower Import Calendar: When to Order for Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, Eid and Christmas
For flower importers, wholesalers, florists, supermarkets, hotels, wedding decorators and event companies, timing is one of the most important parts of buying fresh flowers.
During major flower seasons, demand increases rapidly.
Popular varieties, colours and stem lengths may become limited, farm prices may rise, and airline cargo space can become more difficult to secure.
Planning early helps buyers to:
✅ Reserve the required flower varieties
✅ Secure preferred colours and stem lengths
✅ Obtain better availability
✅ Organise airfreight in advance
✅ Reduce last-minute substitutions
✅ Prepare customs clearance and local distribution
✅ Avoid disappointing customers
At Lisa’s Flowers Export, we source and export wholesale fresh-cut flowers from Kenya and Ethiopia to international markets.
This flower import calendar explains when buyers should begin planning for Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, Eid, weddings, Christmas and other important flower-buying periods.
🌍 Why Flower Importers Need a Purchasing Calendar
Flowers are agricultural products.
Production depends on:
🌦️ Weather conditions
🌱 Farm production cycles
🌡️ Temperature
🌸 Seasonal demand
✂️ Harvest volumes
✈️ Available air-cargo capacity
Unlike manufactured products, flower farms cannot always increase production immediately when demand rises.
A rose plant needs time to produce the correct flower quality, stem length and flower-head size.
During peak seasons, thousands of buyers may request the same products at the same time.
The most requested flowers often include:
❤️ Red roses
🩷 Pink roses
🤍 White roses
💛 Yellow roses
🌸 Spray roses
🌿 Gypsophila
🌼 Chrysanthemums
🌺 Carnations
🌷 Alstroemeria
🌻 Seasonal summer flowers
Buyers who confirm their orders early usually have a better chance of receiving their preferred varieties.
🗓️ Annual Wholesale Flower Buying Calendar
The following calendar gives a general overview of important flower-import periods.Flower occasionMain demand periodRecommended planning timeValentine’s DayEarly to mid-February8–12 weeks beforeInternational Women’s DayEarly March4–8 weeks beforeEasterMarch or April4–8 weeks beforeMother’s DayDifferent dates by country6–10 weeks beforeEid celebrationsDates change annually4–8 weeks beforeWedding seasonVaries by country6–12 weeks beforeGraduation seasonVaries by country4–8 weeks beforeAll Saints’ DayLate October to early November6–8 weeks beforeChristmasDecember6–10 weeks beforeNew Year eventsLate December4–8 weeks before
These planning periods are general recommendations.
Larger orders, unusual colours, premium rose varieties or long stem lengths may need to be reserved even earlier.
❤️ Valentine’s Day Flower Imports
Valentine’s Day is one of the busiest periods in the international flower industry.
The strongest demand is normally for:
❤️ Red standard roses
🩷 Pink roses
🤍 White roses
🌸 Spray roses
🌿 Gypsophila
🌺 Carnations
💐 Romantic mixed flowers
Red roses are especially important during this period.
Demand can increase sharply, which may affect:
- Farm availability
- Rose prices
- Stem lengths
- Flower-head sizes
- Airfreight rates
- Airline cargo space
- Packing schedules
- Airport handling times
⏰ When Should Importers Order Valentine’s Day Roses?
For Valentine’s Day, buyers should ideally begin planning 8 to 12 weeks in advance.
Large importers and wholesalers may begin discussing requirements even earlier.
A suggested Valentine’s Day planning schedule is:
10–12 Weeks Before
✅ Estimate expected sales
✅ Review the previous year’s demand
✅ Select preferred colours and varieties
✅ Confirm destination airport
✅ Discuss expected order volume
✅ Check import permits and customs requirements
6–8 Weeks Before
✅ Request preliminary prices
✅ Reserve farm production
✅ Confirm stem lengths
✅ Discuss packing requirements
✅ Reserve cargo space where possible
✅ Arrange payment planning
3–5 Weeks Before
✅ Confirm final quantities
✅ Approve substitutions where necessary
✅ Confirm freight arrangements
✅ Prepare customs and clearing documents
✅ Confirm arrival and distribution plans
Final Week
✅ Monitor flight arrangements
✅ Confirm clearing agent availability
✅ Prepare cold storage and delivery vehicles
✅ Inform customers of arrival dates
Waiting until the final week to request Valentine’s Day roses can lead to limited availability and higher costs.
🌹 Which Roses Sell Best for Valentine’s Day?
The most requested Valentine’s Day rose is usually the red standard rose.
However, buyers can also offer:
🩷 Soft pink roses
💗 Dark pink roses
🤍 White roses
💜 Lavender roses
🧡 Orange roses
💛 Yellow roses
🌸 Bicolour roses
🌹 Spray roses
Mixed romantic colour collections can help florists and event decorators offer something different from traditional red bouquets.
Popular stem lengths may include:
📏 40 cm for affordable retail bouquets
📏 50 cm for general florist sales
📏 60 cm for premium bouquets
📏 70–80 cm for luxury arrangements
Long-stemmed roses usually cost more and require more airfreight space per stem.
🌷 Mother’s Day Flower Imports
Mother’s Day is another major period for flower sales.
However, Mother’s Day is not celebrated on the same date in every country.
Some countries celebrate it in March, while many others celebrate it in May. Certain markets follow different national traditions.
Flower importers should therefore plan according to the date in their destination market.
Popular Mother’s Day flowers include:
🩷 Pink roses
🤍 White roses
💛 Yellow roses
🌸 Spray roses
🌼 Chrysanthemums
🌺 Carnations
🌷 Alstroemeria
🌿 Gypsophila
💐 Mixed seasonal flowers
Mother’s Day demand is generally more colourful and varied than Valentine’s Day demand.
⏰ When Should Importers Order for Mother’s Day?
Buyers should begin planning approximately 6 to 10 weeks before Mother’s Day.
Large supermarket or wholesale programmes may need to be confirmed earlier.
A good Mother’s Day assortment may include:
🌸 Soft pastel colours
🩷 Pink and peach roses
💛 Yellow and orange flowers
🤍 White filler flowers
💐 Mixed bouquets
🌿 Decorative greenery
Because several colours and flower types may be needed, early planning helps farms and exporters organise mixed orders.
🌸 International Women’s Day
International Women’s Day is celebrated on 8 March and is an important flower-buying occasion in several markets.
Demand may be especially strong for:
🌷 Tulip-style arrangements
🌹 Roses
💛 Yellow flowers
🩷 Pink flowers
🌼 Chrysanthemums
🌺 Carnations
💐 Bright mixed bouquets
Importers should normally begin planning 4 to 8 weeks in advance.
The demand level depends heavily on the country and local flower-buying traditions.
🐣 Easter Flower Imports
Easter dates change each year.
The flower demand period can therefore fall in March or April.
Popular Easter colours include:
💛 Yellow
🤍 White
💜 Purple
🩷 Soft pink
💚 Green
Suitable flowers may include:
🌼 Chrysanthemums
🌹 Roses
🌷 Alstroemeria
🌿 Gypsophila
🌸 Spray roses
🌻 Seasonal flowers
Buyers should generally place Easter orders 4 to 8 weeks before the required arrival date.
Hotels, churches, restaurants and event companies may require larger decorative orders during this period.
🌙 Eid Flower Orders
Eid dates move each year because they follow the Islamic lunar calendar.
Flower importers serving Middle Eastern, African and Muslim-majority markets should verify the expected celebration dates well in advance.
Flowers may be used for:
🏨 Hotel decoration
🏠 Home decoration
🎁 Gift bouquets
🍽️ Restaurant decoration
🛍️ Shopping-centre displays
🎉 Family celebrations
💒 Weddings and events
Popular Eid flower colours may include:
🤍 White
💛 Gold and yellow tones
💚 Green
🩷 Pink
💜 Purple
🧡 Peach and orange
Suitable products include:
🌹 Standard roses
🌸 Spray roses
🤍 Gypsophila
🌼 Chrysanthemums
🌷 Alstroemeria
🌿 Decorative foliage
💐 Mixed premium flowers
⏰ When Should Buyers Order Flowers for Eid?
Planning should normally begin 4 to 8 weeks before Eid.
Large hotel, event or supermarket orders should be discussed earlier.
Importers should consider:
✅ Local public holidays
✅ Changes to customs working hours
✅ Airport cargo schedules
✅ Weekend closures
✅ Customer delivery deadlines
✅ Increased demand for airfreight
Flowers should arrive early enough to allow for customs clearance, hydration, conditioning and distribution.
💒 Wedding Season Flower Planning
Wedding seasons vary considerably by country.
In some markets, the busiest wedding period is during spring and summer. In warmer countries, wedding demand may increase during cooler months.
Popular wedding flowers include:
🤍 White roses
🌸 Spray roses
🩷 Blush pink roses
🌿 Gypsophila
💜 Lavender flowers
🌺 Carnations
🌷 Alstroemeria
🌼 Chrysanthemums
🌻 Seasonal flowers
🌿 Greenery and fillers
Wedding decorators often require very specific colours.
For example:
🤍 White and ivory
🩷 Blush pink
🌸 Dusty rose
🍑 Peach
💜 Lavender
❤️ Burgundy
🌿 Green and white combinations
⏰ When Should Wedding Flowers Be Reserved?
For weddings and large events, buyers should ideally confirm requirements 6 to 12 weeks before the event.
For very large weddings or unusual varieties, planning may need to begin several months in advance.
The buyer should provide:
📅 Event date
🌍 Destination airport
🎨 Colour theme
🌸 Required flower varieties
📏 Preferred stem lengths
🔢 Estimated quantities
📦 Packing preferences
📍 Final delivery location
Wedding decorators should also have alternative varieties available in case a specific flower is affected by weather or seasonal production.
🎓 Graduation and Celebration Seasons
Graduations, award ceremonies, school events and corporate celebrations can create strong regional demand for flowers.
Popular products include:
🌹 Roses
🌸 Spray roses
🌼 Chrysanthemums
🌺 Carnations
🌻 Sunflowers
💐 Mixed celebration bouquets
Demand may focus on colours linked to:
🎓 School colours
🏢 Company branding
🌍 National colours
🏆 Award ceremonies
Buyers should begin planning 4 to 8 weeks in advance, especially if specific colours are required.
🕯️ All Saints’ Day Flower Orders
All Saints’ Day and related remembrance periods can generate significant demand in several European, African and Latin markets.
Popular flowers often include:
🌼 Chrysanthemums
🤍 White flowers
💛 Yellow flowers
💜 Purple flowers
🌺 Carnations
🌿 Greenery
Chrysanthemums are particularly important in some markets.
Importers should normally plan 6 to 8 weeks in advance.
Local preferences are very important because flower traditions differ from country to country.
🎄 Christmas Flower Imports
Christmas creates demand from:
🏨 Hotels
🍽️ Restaurants
🛍️ Shopping centres
🏢 Corporate offices
💒 Churches
🏠 Private homes
🎉 Event companies
🌸 Florists and supermarkets
Popular Christmas colours include:
❤️ Red
🤍 White
💚 Green
✨ Gold
🩶 Silver tones
Popular flower products may include:
🌹 Red and white roses
🌸 Spray roses
🌼 Chrysanthemums
🌺 Carnations
🌿 Greenery
🤍 Gypsophila
💐 Festive mixed flowers
⏰ When Should Buyers Order Christmas Flowers?
Christmas requirements should generally be planned 6 to 10 weeks in advance.
Buyers should consider:
✅ Public holidays
✅ Airline schedule changes
✅ Customs office closures
✅ Higher cargo demand
✅ Reduced working days
✅ Delivery to hotels and event locations
✅ New Year requirements
Flowers should arrive early enough to be hydrated and prepared but not so early that excessive storage reduces their freshness.
🎆 New Year Flower Orders
New Year celebrations create strong demand for:
✨ Luxury event flowers
🤍 White roses
💛 Yellow and gold tones
❤️ Red roses
💜 Purple flowers
🌿 Decorative greenery
💐 Premium mixed arrangements
Hotels, restaurants, nightclubs and event companies may require flowers for large installations.
Buyers should normally plan 4 to 8 weeks before New Year.
Because Christmas and New Year are close together, many importers organise both orders at the same time.
🌦️ How Weather Can Affect Flower Availability
Flower production can be influenced by weather conditions in Kenya and Ethiopia.
Possible effects include:
🌧️ Heavy rainfall
☀️ Excessive heat
❄️ Unusually cold nights
🌫️ Reduced sunlight
🌱 Slower plant growth
🌸 Changes in flower-head size
📏 Changes in stem length
🦠 Increased disease pressure
Weather can affect both production volume and flower quality.
Importers should therefore allow some flexibility in:
- Varieties
- Shades
- Stem lengths
- Exact quantities
- Packing formats
Having approved alternatives can prevent delays.
✈️ Why Airfreight Becomes More Difficult During Peak Seasons
Fresh flowers are normally transported by air because they are highly perishable.
During peak seasons, cargo capacity may be shared with:
📦 E-commerce goods
🥦 Fresh produce
🐟 Seafood
💊 Pharmaceuticals
⚙️ Commercial cargo
🌸 Other flower exporters
Increased demand can lead to:
⚠️ Limited cargo space
⚠️ Higher airfreight rates
⚠️ Flight changes
⚠️ Shipment offloading
⚠️ Longer transit times
⚠️ Limited routing options
Buyers should avoid confirming customer orders before checking flower and freight availability.
💰 Why Flower Prices Change During Peak Seasons
Wholesale flower prices are influenced by supply and demand.
During major flower periods, prices may increase because:
🌹 More buyers request the same varieties
📦 Farms have limited production capacity
✈️ Airfreight demand increases
👷 Additional seasonal labour may be required
🌱 Farms prepare crops months in advance
📉 Some colours or lengths become scarce
Price increases are especially common for red roses before Valentine’s Day.
Buyers should calculate their expected resale price carefully and confirm customer orders early.
📦 Standing Orders Versus One-Off Peak-Season Orders
Importers can buy flowers through:
🔁 Regular standing orders
📦 Individual one-off orders
Standing Orders
A standing order provides regular weekly or scheduled shipments.
Benefits may include:
✅ Better production planning
✅ More stable supply
✅ Regular farm relationships
✅ Easier forecasting
✅ Priority during some busy periods
However, peak-season prices and availability may still change.
One-Off Orders
A one-off order is placed for one specific event or shipment.
This provides flexibility but may offer less availability during busy seasons.
Importers should not assume that regular weekly quantities can automatically be doubled during Valentine’s Day or Mother’s Day.
Additional production should be discussed early.
🎨 Choose Alternative Colours and Varieties
During peak demand, exact varieties may become unavailable.
Buyers can reduce risk by approving alternatives.
For example:
🌹 A similar red rose variety
🩷 A different shade of pink
📏 50 cm roses instead of 60 cm
🌸 Spray roses instead of standard roses for some arrangements
🌼 Chrysanthemums as a substitute in mixed bouquets
🌿 Gypsophila or other fillers depending on availability
Alternative options should always be discussed before packing.
The exporter should not make significant substitutions without the buyer’s approval.
📋 Information Buyers Should Provide
To prepare an accurate flower offer, buyers should provide:
🌍 Destination country
✈️ Destination airport
📅 Required arrival date
🌸 Flower varieties
🎨 Preferred colours
📏 Stem lengths
🔢 Estimated quantities
📦 Bunch and packing preferences
💰 Target price range, where relevant
🚚 Clearing-agent information
📄 Import-permit requirements
Incomplete requests can delay quotations and availability checks.
Instead of saying:
“I need flowers for Valentine’s Day,”
a more useful request would be:
“I need approximately 5,000 red standard roses in 50 cm and 60 cm lengths, arriving at Lagos Airport three days before Valentine’s Day.”
✅ Peak-Season Flower Ordering Checklist
Eight to Twelve Weeks Before
☐ Forecast expected sales
☐ Review previous orders
☐ Choose products and colours
☐ Confirm destination airport
☐ Check import requirements
☐ Contact the exporter
Six to Eight Weeks Before
☐ Request availability
☐ Review estimated prices
☐ Reserve priority varieties
☐ Discuss freight options
☐ Confirm approximate quantities
☐ Select alternative products
Three to Five Weeks Before
☐ Confirm final order
☐ Approve the pro forma invoice
☐ Arrange payment
☐ Confirm airway and routing
☐ Prepare clearing documents
☐ Confirm local transportation
Final Week
☐ Monitor the flight
☐ Confirm clearing agent availability
☐ Prepare cold storage
☐ Prepare clean buckets and flower food
☐ Inform customers of delivery times
☐ Organise local distribution
🚫 Common Peak-Season Ordering Mistakes
Avoid these common mistakes:
❌ Ordering too late
❌ Requesting only one exact variety
❌ Failing to reserve airfreight space
❌ Ignoring public holidays
❌ Confirming customer sales before checking availability
❌ Sending incomplete flower requirements
❌ Delaying payment
❌ Forgetting customs and import permits
❌ Planning arrival on the day of the event
❌ Not allowing time for hydration and conditioning
Imported flowers should normally arrive before the final sale or event date.
This gives the buyer time to clear, inspect, hydrate, condition and distribute the flowers.
🌍 Import Wholesale Flowers From Kenya and Ethiopia
Lisa’s Flowers Export sources and exports wholesale fresh-cut flowers from professional flower farms in Kenya and Ethiopia.
Our assortment includes:
🌹 Standard roses
🌸 Spray roses
🤍 Gypsophila
🌼 Chrysanthemums
🌺 Carnations
🌷 Alstroemeria
🌻 Summer flowers
🌿 Fillers and greenery
💐 Seasonal mixed varieties
We supply:
✅ Flower importers
✅ Wholesalers
✅ Florists and flower shops
✅ Event planners
✅ Wedding decorators
✅ Hotels and restaurants
✅ Supermarkets
✅ Flower distributors
We assist buyers with:
🌸 Flower sourcing
🎨 Variety and colour selection
📏 Stem-length selection
📦 Export packing
✈️ Airfreight coordination
🌍 Shipment consolidation
📋 Export documentation
💬 Order planning and communication
Availability and prices depend on the season, current farm production and destination.
📲 Plan Your Next Flower Order
Are you preparing for Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, Eid, Christmas, a wedding season or another important flower event?
Send us:
🌍 Destination country and airport
📅 Required arrival date
🌸 Required flowers
🎨 Preferred colours
📏 Stem lengths
🔢 Approximate quantities
Early planning gives us more time to check farms, compare availability and organise suitable export and airfreight options.
📧 Email: info@lisasflowersexport.com
📱 WhatsApp: +254 755 855 955
🏠 Visit our Home Page:
www.lisasflowersexport.com
Contact Lisa’s Flowers Export for current wholesale flower availability, prices and export information from Kenya and Ethiopia.
Frequently Asked Questions
How early should I order flowers for Valentine’s Day?
Importers should ideally start planning 8 to 12 weeks before Valentine’s Day. Large orders and premium rose requirements may need to be reserved earlier.
When should I order flowers for Mother’s Day?
Mother’s Day orders should normally be planned 6 to 10 weeks in advance. Buyers should first confirm the Mother’s Day date in their destination country.
Why are red roses more expensive before Valentine’s Day?
Demand for red roses increases significantly before Valentine’s Day, while farm production and airline cargo capacity remain limited.
Can I order flowers one week before a major holiday?
It may be possible, but availability, prices, colours, varieties and airfreight options may be limited.
Should flowers arrive on the day of an event?
No. Flowers should normally arrive earlier to allow time for customs clearance, inspection, hydration, conditioning and local distribution.
Can flower farms guarantee every variety during peak season?
Availability depends on farm production, weather, demand and quality. Importers should approve suitable alternatives when possible.
Do airfreight prices increase during flower seasons?
They can. Cargo space becomes more competitive during major flower periods, and rates may change according to route and airline availability.
Can I combine flowers from different farms?
Yes. Flowers from several farms may be consolidated into one shipment, subject to packing, logistics, minimum-order and freight requirements.