 |
THE FLOWER INDUSTRY IN KENYA AND MARKET DATA
|
|
 |
After three decades, the sector has reached maturity maintaining an average growth of 20% per annum after its rapid expansion in the early 1990s .
Agriculture accounts for about 24% of Kenya's GDP with an estimated 75% of the population depending on the sector either directly or indirectly. The horticulture sub-sector of agriculture has grown significantly to become a major employer and foreign exchange earner; secondly only to remittances from the Kenyan Diaspora in 2008. |
|
Currently, horticulture comprising fruits, vegetables and flowers, is the fastest growing sub-sector of the economy. Structural and macroeconomic reforms, boosted by the introduction of a more liberal trading environment under WTO arrangements have provided a major boost to Kenya's horticultural prospects.
The floriculture sector (flowers and ornamentals) have after three decades in business reached maturity.
Despite the difficult and challenging economic environment both at home and at the global level, the Kenya floriculture industry still experienced significant growth - from 91,000 tonnes in 2007 to 93,000 tonnes in 2008, fetching approximately Kshs 40 billion in foreign currencies. |
 |
Floriculture is estimated to employ over 50,000- 60,000 people directly, and 500,000 people indirectly through affiliated services to the industry e.g. farm inputs, transport, packaging, banking e.t.c. If each has four dependants, the total beneficiaries are 2.0 million people or about 7% of the population! The fact that these opportunities in employment are in the rural areas is very important, as it not only stems rural urban migration but also contributes to poverty alleviation a major focus of the government.
|
FLOWER GROWING AREAS IN KENYA
The main flower growing areas in Kenya are regions around Lake Naivasha, Kinangop, Nakuru, Mt. Elgon, Kitale, Eldoret, Kericho, Limuru, Kiambu, Athi Plains, Thika, and Mt. Kenya region.
Click Here to view Flower Growing Areas In Kenya |
The main flowers exported from Kenyan
Roses
Carnations Spray and Standard
Statice
Alstromeria
Lilies
Hypericum
The following is a listing of some of the popular flowers we have in Kenya. The list is by no means exhaustive as there are so many varieties of flowers grown in Kenya both for the local market and for export. |
| Agapanthus |
Carnations |
Hypericum |
Solidago |
| Alstroemeria |
Carthamus |
Lilies |
Solidaster |
| Ammi Majus |
Chrysanthemum Cuttings |
Lisianthus |
Statice Beltard |
| Anthuriums |
Cut Foliage |
Liliums |
Statice Limonium |
| Arabicum |
Delphinum |
Molucella |
Strelitisia |
| Aram Lilies |
Eryngium |
Orchids |
Tuberose |
| Asters |
Euphorbia |
Ornithogalum |
Veronica |
| Atriplex |
Gypsophilla |
Papyrus |
|
| Bamboo |
Helenium |
Roses |
|
| Bupleurum |
Heliconia |
Rudbeckia |
|
|
Climate
Although Kenya is on the equator, considerable differences in altitude allow a great variety of climatic conditions from the hot coastal plain up to the cool highlands. A temperate climate prevails above 1500 m where daytime temperatures are from 22 °C - 30 °C and night - time from 6 °C - 12 °C. In the temperate area there are two distinct rainy seasons - "long rains" from March to June and "short rains" during September and October. Rain days are restricted to 60 - 80 days so there is excellent radiation most of the year - ideal for the year-round growing of quality flowers. Nairobi, the capital city, is a major hub and is very well served by major airlines and charter operators giving easy airfreight access to the European markets and from there to the rest of the world.
With the export market, Kenya supplies over 35% of cut flowers and ornamental to the world largest market – the EU, which is believed to consume 50% of the world flowers. The major destinations are the Netherlands (65%), UK (23%), Germany, France, and other EU countries. With market diversifications, the USA, Japan and Middle East are coming up quite fast.
The Kenyan local market is very open with the prices determined by supply and demand factors. Some cut flowers are sold locally in main urban centers by street vendors and floricultural shops in high/medium class shopping centers. The distribution of the produce is either sold through the wholesaler markets, directly to the retailers or passes through the hands of middlemen. Hawkers and street vendors are playing a considerable role in the distribution and sale of flowers.
Reasons behind the Industry success
- Massive investments by both local and overseas investors in high tech projects with emphasis on varieties and adding value.
- Maintenance of high standards through compliance to codes of practice, Traceability, due diligence and Ethical Trading.
- Good and informed marketing by the growers.
- A liberalised economy over the years with the removal of exchange control and other constraints.
- Availability of airfreight, Kenya being a ' hub' for the airline industry in the east African and central Africa region thereby providing very crucial cargo capacity.
- A reasonable infrastructure over the years.
- Good climatic conditions providing an opportunity to grow quality produce throughout the year.
- A hardworking and highly educated/qualified workforce comprising both men and women.
- Minimum government involvement, but mainly facilitating trade through the provision of incentives in the form of nil or reduced duties and other taxes on imported inputs crucial to the sector e.g. greenhouses, greenhouse covers, refrigeration equipment for cooling and cold stores, dam construction lining shade netting etc
- Dynamic small holders for certain crops which are labor intensive.
|
|
|
