Small growers hit by travel ban

Kenya's still booming flower sector was also affected by the flight ban, because of a shortage of cargo space, although this tended to affect more the small operators rather than the large companies who operate their own charters out of Nairobi to the EU.

However sales of Kenyan flowers to the EU continue to rise and 2002 sales were 21% upon the figures for the previous year. The most stunning success has been the growth of Lisianthus whose exports have increased by 53% from 200,000kg in 2001 to 430,000 kg in 2002.

But the industry as a whole is still suffering from accusations of low pay and poor environmental conditions facing Kenyan workers, an issue which was highlighted recently in a BBC TV documentary. These are claims the industry vigorously rejects, with Kenya Flower Council chairman Erastus Mureithi saying recently at Kenya Flower Day in London that the industry had "responded constructively to the concerns of the unions, civil society and our own members".

The value of Kenya flowers to the economy can be seen from the latest figures which show that exports rose from $130m to $180m in 2002. Kenyan growers are now the largest suppliers of cut flowers into the EU market and lead the nearest competitor by 25%.

Copyright International Communications Aug/Sep 2003
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