Walking into the Visa Oshwal Community Center in Nairobi’s Westlands area last week, I was awed, not only by the beauty and scent of the many varieties on exhibition at the International Flower Trade Expo (IFTEX), but also the sheer quantity of exhibitors, buyers, suppliers, and visitors, domestic and foreign, moving from stand to stand, admiring the bouquets on display.
In 2024, overall horticultural exports were worth Ksh 136 billion, with cut flowers accounting for 53% of that value (roughly Ksh 72 billion).
Eunice Ndung’u, the Managing Director of Wild Flower Haven Limited, says, “behind the thousands of petals facing eager global buyers lies a thorny path, riddled with climate stress, phytosanitary scrutiny, and complex freight transitions.”
During the opening ceremony and the entire expo, it was evident that resilient strategies employed by the sector, led by the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS), are gearing climate-smart transformation.
Climate Change
Dick van Raamsdonk CEO of HPP Exhibitions and organizer of the expo says, “The flower industry in Kenya is growing, growing bigger, better and faster.”
However, this growth needs to be sustainable to be economically viable. According to the Cabinet Secretary, the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, Mutahi Kagwe, “We must build resilience, and the answer lies in institutional innovation, not just individual effort.”
He further emphasizes that Climate change is real, and it’s not just about rain patterns anymore – it’s about the survival of our agricultural identity.
Kenya’s highland farms in Naivasha, Timau, and Mt. Elgon are experiencing unexpected frosts and longer dry spells, forcing growers to rethink how they irrigate, cool, and even plant. This has necessitated innovative responses.
The CS says the government is reviewing greenhouse standards to include climate-readiness and developing national guidelines for sustainable cold chains in high-altitude horticulture.
This is necessary for the floriculture industry to perform sustainably since, for instance, a flower that’s heat-stressed in the field won’t last long unless it’s cooled fast.
Moreover, the market is gradually moving towards sea freight as a climate-smart strategy. Sea freight is slower but is associated with low emissions. To accommodate floriculture products, better cold chain and packaging are necessary.
CS Kagwe says, “We are collaborating with partners in the logistics and transport sectors to ensure that our flowers, once harvested, reach international markets efficiently and in top condition. This includes enhancing cold chain logistics from farm to port.”
Compliance and the Codling Threat
On 26th April, 2025, new EU policies came into effect to regulate the invasive pest, the false codling moth. To curb the pest and comply with these new regulations, under the leadership of KEPHIS, Kenya adopted the Systems Approach.
During the opening of the expo, the CS said, despite concerns about the increased rejection rates in the EU market, the government is “working closely with KEPHIS to tighten phytosanitary surveillance and ensure growers are not locked out of lucrative markets due to avoidable pests.”
Joseph Rwanda, Technical Sales Engineer at Krystal Limited, says, “The industry needs to continuously adopt traceability technologies like digital tagging or QR codes and pest-free zone certifications to ensure compliance with stringent international protocols”
KEPHIS has also ramped up inspections, now inspecting on multiple levels from farm to freight, and enhanced real-time traceability systems to meet the evolving demands of the global market. For instance, Electronic phytosanitary certificates reduce paperwork, enable faster clearance, and provide real-time traceability.
The inspectorate has also implemented remote pest alerts and data dashboards. This has enabled the use of satellite or mobile tech to notify growers of outbreaks or shifting pest migration patterns.
Moreover, the entire value chain is adapting to these changes and complying with the new regulations. The government is enabling this by fostering cooperation across state agencies, counties, and the private sector to build a more resilient, compliant, and globally competitive flower industry.
The success of the sector, as evidenced during the IFTEX 2025, proves that climate resilience, science, and market excellence can go hand in hand. The industry, from growers to regulators are redefining sustainable trade.
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