NAIROBI — Kenya’s flower industry is gearing up for a brighter season. Exports are expected to climb to Sh110 billion (roughly $851 million) in 2025, according to the Kenya Flower Council, as global demand continues to rise.
The fresh forecast follows a stronger-than-expected performance during Valentine’s Day typically the industry’s busiest time of year.
“We are experiencing steady demand for flowers from all key markets,” said Clement Tulezi, CEO of the Kenya Flower Council, speaking on Wednesday at the International Floriculture Trade Expo in Nairobi.
The three-day event has drawn delegates from 83 countries, including growers, buyers, freight firms and government officials. A major focus this year is how to reduce the industry’s environmental footprint particularly the emissions from transporting flowers worldwide.
Kenya’s floriculture sector is one of its most valuable foreign exchange earners, alongside tourism, remittances, tea and coffee. The Kenya National Bureau of Statistics lists the flower trade among the top five export categories.
Tulezi pointed to an expansion of flower farms as a key factor behind the sector’s continued growth. Kenya now exports more than 100 types of flowers, with roses dominating making up over 60 percent of all shipments.
The biggest buyers remain in Europe, with the European Union and the United Kingdom taking the lion’s share. But new markets are emerging in Asia and the Middle East.
“We are seeing increased interest from countries like Japan, China and Malaysia,” Tulezi added. “It’s opening up fresh opportunities.”
Kenya’s climate cool nights and sunny days makes it an ideal place to grow high-quality flowers year-round. That natural advantage, paired with improved logistics and steady investment, has helped the country remain a global leader in the flower trade.
Still, the industry faces challenges. Airfreight costs remain high, and there’s growing pressure from international buyers to adopt greener practices, such as using less water, reducing pesticide use, and ensuring fair labour standards.
At the expo, exhibitors displayed everything from hybrid rose varieties to sustainable packaging. Others showcased solar-powered greenhouses and water-efficient irrigation systems.
“Sustainability is no longer optional,” said one European buyer who sources flowers from Kenyan farms. “Consumers want beautiful flowers but not at the cost of the planet.”
For now, the outlook is optimistic. With new land under cultivation and fresh markets opening up, Kenya’s flower farms appear well-positioned for another record-breaking year.
But as pressure mounts for climate-conscious farming, the question is whether the country’s growers can keep up with the pace of change and still deliver the world’s blooms on time.
