On 2nd April, U.S. President Trump declared “Liberation Day” as he launched sweeping tariffs on global imports. For the ornamental horticulture sector, the fallout could be significant. FloraCulture International hears from reporters Marta Pizano in Colombia and Kali Pearson in Canada—two major exporting countries to the US market.
Colombian floriculture eyes consumer impact and tariff uncertainty
Report by Marta Pizano
President Trump’s sudden announcement of new import tariffs on goods entering the US has sparked concern across Colombia’s floriculture sector. With exports valued at nearly USD $2.4 billion in 2024 – 80 per cent of which go to the US – Colombia stands to be directly affected.
Speaking to FloraCulture International, Augusto Solano, Executive Director of ASOCOLFLORES (Colombian Association of Flower Exporters), acknowledged that while the blanket nature of the tariffs levels the playing field for most international competitors, the real worry lies in potential shifts in consumer behaviour.
“US consumers see flowers as an affordable luxury, part of everyday life,” he said. “The concern is whether they’ll still be willing to buy if prices rise.”
Colombia’s advantage lies in its existing scale and infrastructure, but the unpredictability of US trade policy presents a growing challenge. Fresh produce from Mexico and Canada currently remains exempt, raising questions over whether those conditions will change—or be extended to others.
“These tariffs aren’t about retaliation,” Solano noted, “they’re about collecting revenue. But they could easily fuel inflation and weaken demand—just as we’ve worked hard to build flowers into daily lifestyles.”
Still, he sees a silver lining: “Just like during the pandemic, maybe flowers will once again bring people joy in tough times.”
Canada caught in the crossfire of US trade strategy
Report by Kali Pearson
While Canada was not hit with further, new tariffs during the US’s 2nd April “Liberation Day” announcement, the ornamental horticulture sector remains cautious as tensions rise.
Canada’s federal government has promised targeted counter-tariffs – beginning with the auto industry – and committed that revenue will support affected workers and businesses. However, specifics related to horticulture are still unclear.
The industry is deeply interconnected with the US. In 2023, Canadian ornamental exports -including potted plants, turf sod, and Christmas trees – rose 13.1 per cent to CAD $1.073 billion. The US accounts for a striking 99.6 per cent of plant exports and 45.3 per cent of plant imports by value.
According to Landscape Ontario and the Canadian Nursery Landscape Association (CNLA), key concerns include rising equipment and supply costs, pressure on plant availability, and potential long-term pricing impacts. Some growers exporting to the US could face up to 25 per cent in tariffs, threatening margins even with exchange rate advantages.
The uncertainty is pushing a growing “Buy Canadian” movement, visible across retail and expected to reach garden centres as the season opens. National efforts are also underway to strengthen domestic trade and deepen ties with Europe, the UK, and Australia.
While emotions are running high, the Canadian sector is preparing for resilience. As one industry insider put it, “We’re watching this closely, but we’re also working hard to adapt – because spring doesn’t wait.”
