This archive report was first published on 12 June 2020.
Kenya's flower industry has made significant strides in recovering from the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, with flower farms in Naivasha resuming operations as EU markets ease lockdown restrictions.
According to the Lake Naivasha Growers Group, nearly 2,000 staff who lost their jobs in March have been brought back to work, thanks to the reopening of the EU markets, which account for 70% of Kenyan flower exports.
However, flower farmers are still battling with high flight costs to transport flowers to Europe, as most airlines remain grounded. The Standard quoted the Group's CEO, Joseph Kariuki, saying: 'Currently, our exports stand at 60 percent despite challenges like high flight charges as many airlines are not operational, and we hope that this will change with time.'
Kenya's flower industry started recovering in mid-April, after the reopening of the Dutch Auction and other EU markets. However, farmers face hurdles like high freight charges and massive losses due to the pandemic.
Freight operators tripled the price per kilo of fresh produce to $3 in end-March, making it too expensive for exporters. The Kenyan Flowers Council (KFC) CEO, Clement Tulezi, called on the government to offer cargo planes to allow more exports.
Tulezi expects flower exports to peak to 80% at the end of 2020 as other EU markets lax lockdown regulations. However, he notes that the flower sector will recover fully in June 2021, if the government supports the industry.
