INTERNATIONAL FLORICULTURE TRADE EXPO (IFTEX) KICKS OFF IN NAIROBI

Kenya is hosting the global flower fraternity in Nairobi.The top flower trade show, International Floriculture Trade Expo (IFTEX), opened June 4, 2024, at Visha Oshwal Centre, Parklands.

The occassion was graced by Dr. Idris Dogota, Principal Secretary, State Department for Cabinet Affairs. Present were also various stakeholders like; IFTEX, Kenya Flower Council (KFC) , Horticulture Crops Directorate ( HCD-AFA), Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service ( Kephis), Imani Flowers and other various Flower Industry Exhibitors.

“The theme for the Expo is “Supporting Sustainable Floriculture in Kenya” As you are aware we are ranked top 4 in flower production, thanks to Kenyan farmers.
The industry has employed kenyans directly and indirectly impacting more than 4 million kenyans.” Said PS, State Department for Cabinet Affairs Dr. Idris Dogota.

Christine Chisaro Acting Director Horticulture who was present also observed that, the Horticultural industry contributes alot in the economy. Among the key Markets include the European Union, Asia and other UAE Kazakistan regions.
Kenya majorly exports Cat flowers. However Climate change, Stringent Markets are among the challenges affecting the floriculuture.

During the Expo Opening we met with Imani flower Managing Director Roy Gachoki who noted that, the company started as a family business and it was begun by her late mother in 2011.

Sitting on 25 hectares of production, different varieties of summer flowers. And as the name states, faith, Imani is faith. And through faith we’ve gotten to where we are. Stride after stride, mistake after mistake. Doing business is not easy and doing business in Kenya is especially not easy. You have to have a thick skin.

We’re members of the cooperative in Holland called Royal Flora Holland through which we also auction our flowers. And we also have direct markets in different regions in the Middle East, Australia and Japan.

The dollar fluctuations, the currency fluctuations have affected business, makes things a bit unpredictable, a lot, very unpredictable actually to be honest with you. And then, doing business in Kenya is hard because again, unpredictability. The government is constantly changing policies. Like now we have the new finance bill that’s introducing a raft of proposals that are going to affect business.

This is a business with small margins. The more they take, the more we’re losing and the more businesses will close down. That’s a fact. Recently they’ve introduced a new charge on every consignment. That means, the charge is $10 called UCR. This charge will affect small growers.