Kenya’s lucrative flower industry is facing severe financial strain, recording weekly losses of up to $1.4 million as the ongoing Middle East conflict disrupts global logistics and dampens demand.
According to the Kenya Flower Council, the sector has already lost more than $4.2 million in just three weeks, with exporters grappling with delayed shipments, longer transport routes, and record-high freight costs. Prices have surged to nearly double typical rates, significantly reducing buyers’ ability to purchase.
Producers report a sharp drop in exports, with some farms seeing output cut by more than half and large volumes of flowers discarded due to limited shipping capacity. The disruption has affected not only Middle Eastern routes but also key European markets, which account for the majority of Kenya’s flower exports.
The crisis is largely tied to reduced cargo operations, as several Middle Eastern carriers have halted flights, forcing reliance on fewer and more expensive alternatives. Industry stakeholders warn that if the situation persists, the sector could face a downturn مشابه to the COVID-19 period, with potential job losses in an industry employing hundreds of thousands.
In response, industry leaders are urging the government to establish direct cargo links to Europe to stabilise exports and protect one of the country’s most valuable economic sectors.
Source: TRT Africa
