This archive report was first published on 19 May 2020.
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect the global economy, Kenya is engaging with 12 airlines to bolster its national carrier, Kenya Airways, in maintaining horticulture exports. This effort is aimed at preserving approximately 350,000 jobs in the flower and fresh produce sectors during this challenging period.
According to Transport Cabinet Secretary James Macharia, the talks with the airlines are underway, but he declined to disclose the names of the involved airlines or the current stage of the discussions.
Kenya's horticulture sector has been severely impacted by the pandemic, with a net loss of KSh8 billion ($75.4 million) recorded in March. The flower industry, in particular, was hit hard due to the closure of the Dutch auction and suspension of exports to the EU, its largest market.
However, with the reopening of the Dutch Auction and European supermarkets, the flower industry has started to recover. Kenya Airways has increased its cargo flights, resulting in a 50% rise in flower shipments to Europe.
Kenya's flower industry is a significant contributor to the country's foreign exchange earnings, with the sector creating jobs for nearly 150,000 people. In 2018 alone, cut flowers earned the country KSh113 billion.
