Lewiston Florist Increases Prices by 20% Due to U.S. Tariffs on Ecuadorian Flowers
Floral Artistry in Lewiston, Idaho, owned by Mike Hollenbeck, has increased prices by up to 20% due to U.S. tariffs on imported flowers, particularly roses from Ecuador. The tariffs, which include a 10% duty on imports from most countries, have disrupted global supply chains, raising costs and limiting availability. This has also increased demand and prices for U.S.-grown flowers. The timing coincides with Mother's Day, a peak period for florists. Hollenbeck's decision reflects the challenges posed by the tariffs, which add uncertainty to inventory and pricing strategies.
Key Updates
04/20 14:37
Lewiston Florist Increases Prices by 20% Due to U.S. Tariffs on Ecuadorian Flowers
Floral Artistry in Lewiston, Idaho, owned by Mike Hollenbeck, has increased prices by up to 20% due to U.S. tariffs on imported flowers, particularly roses from Ecuador. The tariffs, which include a 10% duty on imports from most countries, have disrupted global supply chains, raising costs and limiting availability. This has also increased demand and prices for U.S.-grown flowers. The timing coincides with Mother's Day, a peak period for florists. Hollenbeck's decision reflects the challenges posed by the tariffs, which add uncertainty to inventory and pricing strategies.
Tariffs Take Root in the Flower Trade
A new wave of U.S. tariffs, including a 10% blanket duty on imports from nearly all countries and additional levies on 60 nations, has disrupted global supply chains across industries. For the floral sector, the impact is immediate and personal. Ecuador, a leading exporter of roses to the U.S., is among the countries affected by the new trade measures.
According to economists at Wells Fargo, the average U.S. tariff rate is expected to jump tenfold to 23%, the highest since 1908. These rapid increases are already being felt by small business owners like Hollenbeck, who relies heavily on imported flowers to meet customer demand.
Ecuador’s Ideal Growing Conditions Now Come at a Cost
Ecuador’s climate—abundant sunlight, natural rainfall, and high-altitude conditions—makes it one of the world’s premier rose producers. The country’s flowers are known for their long stems, vibrant colors, and sturdy vascular systems. “The stem is very, very sturdy,” Hollenbeck said, holding a burgundy and rust-orange rose in his Lewiston shop. “It’s straight and they’ve bred most of the thorns out.”
But those premium qualities now come with a premium price. “To continue to purchase roses like the ones in my hands, as well as flowers from a host of countries and the United States, I recently raised my prices between 10% and 20%,” Hollenbeck said. “It was one of the few ways of preserving the sustainability of my business.”
Domestic Demand Surges, Prices Follow
The tariffs have not only increased the cost of imported flowers but have also driven up demand for U.S.-grown blooms. That, in turn, is pushing domestic prices higher. “Demand for U.S. flowers is skyrocketing, forcing prices higher with them,” Hollenbeck explained. “We’re absorbing it right now. This Mother’s Day is going to put a huge crunch on product coming from California because of supply and demand. That price is going to go up, too.”
The timing couldn’t be worse. Mother’s Day is one of the busiest and most profitable times of the year for florists. With both imported and domestic supply chains under pressure, florists are bracing for a season of limited availability and elevated costs.
A Reluctant Price Hike
Hollenbeck’s decision to raise prices was not made lightly. Floral Artistry has weathered multiple economic storms over the decades—from the dot-com bubble and the Great Recession to the COVID-19 pandemic and the rise of big-box and online floral retailers. But the current tariff environment presents a unique challenge.
“This is one of the largest overall price increases we’ve ever had,” Hollenbeck said. “Boosting prices 10% to 20% could be just the beginning.”
The uncertainty surrounding the duration and scope of the tariffs adds another layer of difficulty. “We don’t know how long these tariffs will last,” he said. “That makes it hard to plan inventory, pricing, and staffing.”
The Global Flower Supply Chain Under Strain
The floral industry is deeply globalized. Flowers are often grown in one country, processed in another, and sold in yet another. Ecuador, Colombia, and Kenya are major exporters, while the U.S. remains one of the largest importers of cut flowers.
The new tariffs are disrupting this delicate balance. “Practically overnight, this will throw sand in the gears of global supply chains in ways that we have not seen since the pandemic and perhaps since World War II,” wrote Shannon Grein, an economist at Wells Fargo.
For florists like Hollenbeck, the impact is tangible. “We take flowers seriously because they can make a difference in somebody’s life,” he said. “It’s not brain surgery, but we can ruin somebody’s day if we don’t deliver.”
A Business Rooted in Resilience
Despite the challenges, Hollenbeck remains optimistic about the future of Floral Artistry. The shop has built a reputation for excellence, artistry, and emotional connection. “Throughout economic upheavals, flowers remain important parts of the watershed moments in people’s lives—births, graduations, weddings, and the loss of loved ones,” he said.
Hollenbeck is preparing to pass the torch to Skylar Wyman, a certified floral designer at the shop. “She is so talented,” he said. “I’m looking forward to handling fewer responsibilities in the business, traveling all over the world, and sharing my knowledge of professional floral design.”
The Symbolism of Flowers Endures
For Hollenbeck, the value of flowers goes beyond economics. “The flower is put on this earth. It grew from a seed into this amazing plant. The plant flourished and bloomed. We cut the bloom off and use that to symbolize beauty in the moment,” he said. “Nothing in this world lasts forever. But if you worry about that all the time, you’re going to miss the here and now.”
As tariffs reshape the cost and availability of flowers, florists like Hollenbeck are adapting with creativity, resilience, and a deep understanding of the emotional power of their craft.
