Despite perturbing times , the Kenyan floral industry is hanging in there , but things are much more difficult than ever before . The two chief issues consider growers and exporter down are high freightage costs and the taxation regulating cut by the new government . And there are more challenge the Kenyan flowered manufacture is mete out with , but consort to Clement Tulezi from the Kenya Flower Council ( KFC ) , the industry is not about to give up . “ We are proud of our accomplishment so far . We are These challenge , though hard to take back , create more resilience for the Cuban sandwich - sphere . ”
Clement Tulezi at the IFTF 2023 in Vijfhuizen , the Netherlands .
Challenges : Freight & regulationsHow is it that overseas merchant vessels and airfreight is still so expensive in Kenya compared to their neighboring land right now ? The prices are still high after Covid-19 . Tulezi : “ A fortune of producers are telling me they are losing orders , as their buyers tell them it ’s cheaper to bribe from other develop countries . It ’s all about monetary value of freight . The Leontyne Price of transport needs to go down . Pre - Covid , a kilo of payload to Europe for representative was about 1.4 dollar per kilo ; today , the price is in the realm of 2.4 dollars per kilo . Yet , our competitors are shipping with agency less to the same grocery . How can Kenyan exporters compete ? ”
consort to Tulezi , the government can do something about this and support the industry . “ deoxidize taxes on constituent that have an impact on freight such as jet fuel . That will set aside more foreign airlines into Nairobi . There are also certain price the government can take away , such as the landing costs . This will make a actual rivalry , which can ride down the prices . Also , the airlines have a role here – we are giving them adept line in Nairobi , ” he say .
The government has driven up the cost of doing stage business in terms of taxes and levy to proportions that have never been escort before . And for the fresh green groceries sector , these costs bear upon them on a daily base . “ KFC is constantly recommend against taxes and levies at national and county government levels that are do businesses to be unsustainable . And with added regulations in the market , it cost a lot of money to run a business concern in Kenya today . ”
Then there are industrial plant health concerns , mainly surrounding the False Codling Moth ( FCM ) , which European Union Report says come from roses grown in Africa ; and can contaminate European cultivation of citrus . “ Roses are our independent exports to the European Union . A good 70 % of our roses stop up in the European Union . Any measuring stick to increase ascendence will negatively affect Kenya ’s supplying of roses . As grower , we have worked heavily to cut FCM on roses discernible by the reduced number of interception in 2022 and 2023 . We pray that the EU will prize these efforts . ”
achievement : Sustainability & exportThere is another trend KFC is meet in the European market , a call around sustainable practice session . Is worth mentioning here that Europe alone ca n’t produce enough for its peak market . The EU therefore has to import flowers from elsewhere . Yet , producing countries like Kenya still have repute issue based on stories from 15 or 20 years ago . Anyone who has visited flower farms in Kenya recently will value that these narrative do n’t hold anymore . “ Looking at 20 geezerhood ago and now , a lot has changed in the sector . Less chemical , less plant food , respectable piddle exercise , green energy and active footstep being taken to reduce the carbon footprint , including switching to sea freight among others . The market ask to read , we are not just turning a unsighted eye on these issues . We are working tirelessly , place in place system and mitigate risks , but it ’s a journey that may not be accomplished in a few sidereal day . It might take a few more years to get to 100 per cent , if that is possible , but collectively we are mold together the goal . There are many challenge , but there is also a portion of hope . We are proud of our achievement as a land and the changes we made so far . ”
Good Hope for the future“Despite these challenge , we ’re not about to close shop . It just give us the resilience . And it give us the chance to centre on the major things that need attention - looking after our workers , the environment , and making certain we are more honourable , accountable and transparent . And at Kenya Flower Council we are ready to indorse the growers , exporters , producers , and the entire supplying Sir Ernst Boris Chain , where we can , to ensure we bring home the bacon tangible and practical solutions to them , ” Clement concludes .
For more information : Kenya Flower Council[email protected]kenyaflowercouncil.org
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