Kenya’s Flowers Diminish

Kenya’s Flowers Diminish

Posted on June 19th, 2009 Fate Found 6 comments

Kenya’s leading crop export is feeling the heat of a changing climate and a global financial meltdown.

Fresh cut flowers are the flagship export of Kenya, making Billions of Shillings a year for the economy. But a global recession and climate chaos have started to diminish earnings. So far this year earnings from exports have fallen by 35 percent on last year according to the Fresh Produce Exporters Association of Kenya.

Most of the exported flowers, over 80 percent, are bought by Europe. Half of those are purchased by flower lovers in the UK. However demand for flowers in the recession has dipped by around 25 percent as the European market has reduced spending on luxury items. An unusually cold winter also kept flower lovers indoors as freezing temperatures swept throughout Europe.

“Statistics from Kenya Flower Council show earnings took a knock from 13.36 billion shillings (191.8 million dollars) in the first three months of the year to 10.76 billion shillings (13.68 million dollars).” According to Google

But credit crunch is not the only problem facing Kenya’s flowers exports. The flower sector is also feeling the heat of Global warming. A prolong dry spell last year caused rising concerns for the future as many farms suffered major water shortages. In some places rainfall was below 30 percent of its normal levels.

Around 1,200 jobs have already been lost so far this year as a result of the decline. There are fears a larger drop in flowers revenue would damage East Africa’s largest economy, as a massive 23 percent of its GDP comes from Horticulture exports.
Share This:
6 responses to “Kenya’s Flowers Diminish”
1. Kenya's Flowers Diminish | Global Changes | Kenyan Post June 19th, 2009 at 17:26
  
  [...] Go here to read the rest: Kenya's Flowers Diminish | Global Changes [...]
2. Milco Rikken October 10th, 2009 at 11:52
  
  Recently published trade data (Eurostat) covering the year 2008 shows that The Netherlands remains the leading gateway for flowers from rather a large number of different developing countries. Nevertheless, one leading supplying country can be recognised: Kenya. Imports from Kenya increased by 13% annually between 2004 and 2008, while imports from Ecuador increased by 20% annually during this period. Imports from Colombia and Tanzania showed significant increases as well. However, the most notable performance was that of Ethiopia. Imports from Ethiopia increased by 193% annually, with imports amounting to € 63 million in 2008. Only four years before, the imports from this country were still negligible. In contrast, imports from Zimbabwe decreased by 18% annually during the review period, due to the unstable economic and political situation.
3. LiPing @ blooms florist November 20th, 2009 at 11:31
  
  I’ve been researching the WWW for my research on this topic. I’m so thankful what you shared adds a new dimension to the information I’m compiling. I really appreciate the way which you look at this subject, it extend to me a another means of looking at it now. Thanks for the share.
4. ruba March 19th, 2010 at 21:05
  
  hi i am ruba from syria and i have a company for flowers and i want to make some deals with ur company so i want to know the colors and the sizes and the offers like red roses,and about (prices) and if u have quantity in all seasons for the rose u have so i am waiting for ur answer thanx
5. spyflower October 18th, 2010 at 19:17
  
  our local florist is great coz she can find hard to find tropical flowers not available in other sellers
6. Socket November 8th, 2010 at 12:07
  
  my mother is a florist and she really loves Pink and White roses
Leave a reply

Name (required)

Mail (will not be published) (required)

Website