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John Haines
Renovo
The U.S. Valentine's Day card business during the 1800s was dominated by England. However, from 1900-1914, the greeting card business was practically a German monopoly. And it wasn't until 1910 that an American Company, that would become Hallmark, began printing their Valentine's cards. Today, according to the U.S. Greeting Card Association, 190 million Valentine's are sent each year, thus helping to make greeting cards a billion dollar business. Unfortunately, the U.S. imports 386 million greeting cards. Nevertheless, Hallmark and American Greetings hold 74% of the American market, collectively.
Another popular gift on Valentine's Day is chocolate candies. According to the National Confectioners Association, U.S. consumers ring up approximately $700 million in chocolate candy sales. Interestingly, Hershey, Pa., is the top chocolate producer in America. Unfortunately they moved the Reading, Pa., plant that made the peppermint patty and 5th Avenue to Mexico -- a loss of 260 American jobs. Likewise, Hawaii no longer produces sugar, as production became cheaper elsewhere in Central America.
Similarly, red roses are another Valentine favorite. Approximately 250 million roses are produced for Valentine's Day, according to the society of American Florists. Roses in the U.S. were once largely homegrown, but are now mainly imported from South America. Back in 1970, there were almost 800 U.S. commercial farms and nurseries growing cut roses, selling almost half a billion roses annually. However, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's latest census of horticultural specialties found only 110 U.S. farms and nurseries growing cut roses. And they only harvested 18 million roses. In contrast, the U.S. imported 2.8 billion roses in 2023 primarily from Columbia and Ecuador. The vast amounts imported keep rose prices deflated. For example, in 2023, a dozen roses cost $12. However, you can expect supermarket prices to double in February.
Is love cheapened by foreign imports? Of course not! However, I think the best chocolate in the world is made right here, in Pennsylvania. Likewise, the Commonwealth has the best farms and farmers as anywhere in the U.S. Additionally, Pennsylvania has an abundance of fine publishers, with skilled printers, who can print high quality Valentine's Day cards better than anyone else in the world.