Ecuador has been in a National emergency since President Moreno canceled government subsidies on fuel prices. His decision to end the government’s support for low oil prices set off protests and clashes across the country.
The protests led Moreno to move his administration from Quito, the capital, to the port of Guayaquil.
On Tuesday, thousands of native people traveled to Quito and took part in anti-government protests. These protesters are blocking highways and causing a logistical nightmare for products like our flowers to get to the airport for export.
The government ordered an overnight curfew around significant government buildings, as well as airports and oil production centers.
Rose farms are having a challenging time getting to the airports. In some cases having a police guide escort groups of farmers shipping out their products
The main items on the list are Roses. Bananas are the country’s number one export but mainly leave the country from the coast in containers. Roses are primarily shipped out of the capital Quito. Specific rose farms, especially in the north of Quito, are having a hard time but are exporting their roses. Other farms don’t have employees working on the plantations, and a lot of farms cannot make it to the airport.
So, what does this mean for Flower importers and the distribution of Ecuadorian flowers?
Well first off expect an increase in prices. Low availability during such a color and variety-specific time of year, means prices will increase. Plan and make the appropriate substitutions. We don’t know how long this will continue, so please be patient. Once the Ecuadorian government fixes the current situation, we will make sure all of our customers are made aware. In the meantime, we are doing our best to fill all of our pre-orders as best as possible with the production we can import.
