Kenya is set to host the International Flower Trade Expo (IFTEX) next month and expects more American buyers in the country to seal deals following the commencement of direct flights by Kenya to US  this  month.

The direct flight will help the floriculture industry since the non-stop flights will cut hours of the lengthy trip between the two countries and provide a major boost to Kenya’s tourism industry.

Kenya Flower Council (KFC) Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Ms. Jane  Ngige said the direct flight to USA opens a new and lucrative avenue for Kenya cut flowers and horticulture products at large.

Ngige who was speaking on Wednesday on the upcoming sixth IFTEX slated for June 7 to 9 in Nairobi, noted that the flower industry is enjoying renewed focus following the classification of JKIA to Category A status enabling direct flights to the US from Nairobi.

“The flights will boost local flower production and incomes as well to the farmers and traders and also enhance the country’s profile globally,” she noted Kenya will join other countries in Africa namely South Africa, Senegal, Cape Verde and Ethiopia who enjoy the Category A status.

The CEO stated that local companies will now directly export to USA unlike before where they had to do it via other routes such as South Africa and Amsterdam  which has been expensive.

Exporters, Ngige also added, will incur less flight costs compared to the voyage through EU and expressed optimism that the industry will maintain level of earnings based on various contributing facts such high level of water in water bodies around flower farms and market diversification.

Samuel  Karongo from the Horticultural Crops Directorate said Kenya is the leading Flower grower and exporter in Africa, adding that in the last year, the country exported flowers worth Shs. 71 billion representing 70 percent of the total horticulture exports which stood at Shs. 101 Billion.

“Kenya has continued to experience growth in its share of the global Flower trade in the last decade. Statistics show that Kenya is contributing over 35 percent of the world flower trade and continues to compete with countries such as Ecuador, Colombia and Ethiopia in the world flower business,” he added.

Karongo said that IFTEX exhibition is one of the contributors to the positive growth in the sub-sector as it offers producers and buyers an opportunity to interact and foster businesses.

“The event therefore comes at a critical time when Kenya is at the point of takeoff in terms of asserting its role as a serious player in the world flower business,” Karongo said.

IFTEX  President, Dick van Raamsdonk  hailed the US market, saying it is less stringent compared to EU and thus will offer a good opportunity for Kenya cut flowers.

“We expect a lot of changes along the value chain in terms of output increase and earnings to the players. At the farm level, farmers have to increase their production in order to maintain suppliers to EU and as well as to other market,” said Raamsdonk.

The buyers from America, Raamsdonk  said, will be part of over 5,000 visitors and 225 exhibitors and growers expected to participate in the expo, reaffirming the great importance of this annually held international flower trade exhibition.

Isaac  Macharia, Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS) General Manager in charge of Phytosanitary Services confirmed that Kenya cut flowers have met the USA market  phytosanitary requirements.

He noted that all exports of plants, plant products and regulated articles require phytosanitary certificates issued by the KEPHIS which is freedom from harmful pests and diseases.

“Currently, Kenya exports flowers such as roses and summer flowers, and propagation materials (pelargoniums). We also export macadamia nuts, tea and coffee. We hope that we will export more produce in the future with the approval of flights to the USA,” Macharia said.

The horticulture sub-sector has registered a sustained growth of between 10 and 20 percent over the last 10 years, with a growth rate of 12 percent realized in 2016 despite many other sectors registering negative growth.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of TradeMark Africa.