Kenya’s Winchester farm, located in Nakuru County, is a vibrant source of roses that now find a quicker route to the Chinese market, taking only 17 hours compared to three days in the past. As Africa’s largest exporter of flowers to China, Kenya ships approximately 210,000 metric tons of flowers annually, ranking as the world’s fourth-largest exporter of cut flowers. Mzurrie Flowers, managing the Winchester farm, exported cut flowers worth $753 million in the previous year, with most exports traditionally directed to Western Europe.
The Chinese market’s entry has injected new vitality into the industry, growing at around 8 percent annually, providing a significant boost to Kenya’s flourishing floriculture. Gerald Kipkosgei, a technical specialist at the Winchester farm, highlighted the use of advanced technologies, including drip irrigation, greenhouse ventilation, and precooling, to meet the high standards required for the Chinese market. The farm is also exploring value addition measures to enhance the competitiveness of Kenyan flowers globally.
China’s growing demand for high-value roses is prompting African nations, including Kenya, to explore new markets and reduce dependency on the European Union. Previously, Kenyan flowers reached China through the Dutch flower auction, making them expensive. Now, efforts are underway to establish a cut flower center in Beijing to address the rising demand in China.
Under the Belt and Road Initiative, bilateral agreements between Kenya and China have eliminated trade barriers, fostering a conducive environment for the flower trade. Direct flights between Nairobi and Changsha have increased, contributing to the flourishing floriculture industry. Clement Tulezi, CEO of the Kenya Flower Council, anticipates the formation of the Asian Flower Association to manage the growing demand in China, emphasizing that the Chinese market is expanding faster than the industry can keep up.
With Kenya being the highest producer of cut flowers in Africa, access to the Chinese market is predicted to fuel significant growth. Forecasts by the U.S. research company Mordor Intelligence project Kenya’s floriculture market to grow from $1.04 billion in the present year to $1.34 billion by 2028, highlighting the potential for expansion and the positive impact on the continent’s floriculture sector.
