Fun Facts: Valentine’s Day

OK, so maybe this isn’t everybody’s favorite holiday. (Seriously, is it anybody’s favorite holiday?) Regardless, let’s celebrate with info from the U.S. Census:

1,155: Number of U.S. manufacturing establishments that produced chocolate and cocoa products in 2010, employing 35,074 people. California led the nation in the number of chocolate and cocoa manufacturing establishments, with 121, followed by Pennsylvania, with 114.

409: Number of U.S. establishments that manufactured nonchocolate confectionary products in 2010. These establishments employed 17,526 people. California led the nation in this category, with 49 establishments.

$13.5 billion: Total value of shipments in 2011 for firms producing chocolate and cocoa products. Nonchocolate confectionery product manufacturing, meanwhile, was an $8.8 billion industry.

3,365: Number of confectionery and nut stores in the United States in 2010.

24.7 pounds: Per capita consumption of candy by Americans in 2010.

16,182: The total number of florists’ establishments nationwide in 2010. These businesses employed 70,575 people.

$880,893,904: The value of imports for cut flowers and buds for bouquets in 2011. Flower bouquets are a popular gift for loved ones on Valentine’s Day. The total value of fresh cut roses in 2011 was $365,453,189.