Last year at the height of COVID-19 , the Kenya flush industry was grappling with a cocktail of threats that had taken their toll on production admit problematical weather condition conditions , pesterer attacks , and modified cargo space occasion by the impacts of the pandemic that saw a skyrocketing of cargo blank costs .
" The heartbreaking trope of heyday farm workers harvest efflorescence and dumping them as lockdowns and cancellation of trajectory contain event are poignant admonisher of the breakability of the sector to orbicular shocks that fancy the flower market contract bridge to an estimated $ 29.2 billion in 2020 , representing a 6.2 per centum declension from 2019 . Industry players say this remains the worst experience yet , in the history of the heyday industry , " writes Baiju Kantaria , Director at Elgon Kenya .
Baiju Kantaria is a Director at Elgon Kenya Limited
In cardinal markets like Europe that report for close to 70 per centum of Kenya cut bloom exports , the Covid-19 induced restriction whip day-to-day orders by one-half put tens of thousands of jobs on the line and robbing the country of the much required strange exchange salary .
Government effortsThe Kenyan regime , working with industry players include the Kenya Private Sector Alliance , the Kenya Flower Council , the Fresh Produce Exporters Association and national carrier Kenya Airways turn over a plan to convert passenger planes into cargo freighters to keep our fresh markets supplied . This remains one of the in effect multisector response to a global crisis ever seen in the country . report argue that due to these endeavor , Kenya produce was available in the supermarket at a time it was desperately need head to retention of markets and gain new single . These efforts were greatly butressed by an enterprisingness dubbed Caravan of Hope which saw flower raiser through the Agriculture Sector connection , KEPSA , KFC and Kenya Airways donate flowers wrapped in arm ratify by President Uhuru Kenyatta with a message : It is exactly at moment such as this that we must display our humanity , perseverance and hope . Whatever the adversity , no matter the foe , we shall triumph together . We stand united . Tuko Pamoja . From Kenya with dear . The flower went to hospitals and care homes in the UK , a gesture seek to show solidarity with healthcare proletarian as the first - occupation Covid-19 attack . Covid-19 healthcare caution centres in the land were the first to get the bouquets .
Bouncing backProvision of car stickers to vehicle transporting flowers to operate past curfew hours and authorities ’s speedy action in processing Trachinotus falcatus and export equally played a vast office in supporting the sector .
With increase easing of restriction and as global market reopen , the sphere is bouncing back with product and exports now almost at their pre - COVID levels .
A November 2020 report by the Central Bank of Kenya assessing the extent of recovery in the flower sphere betoken that improved load space and reopening of key exportation markets had contributed to a bunce in demand as export orders for the four calendar month , from November , immortalise a sharp increase despite concerns and dubiousness over the second wave of the computer virus and possible lockdowns .
Valentine ’s DayThat demand was ably represent by the remarkable number of order experienced during this year ’s Valentine ’s Day . While the sphere has n’t fully recuperate , and in the wake of new restrictions in central markets especially in Europe , exporter have expressed satisfaction with the sale this twelvemonth .
But the industry continues to skin with mental ability constraints that have seen limited supply or an increment in freight price as need grows . sphere thespian have always insist that while they are able to farm to market demands they grapple with scarceness of freight .
The government has been working to right the position by allow Ethiopian national mailman Ethiopian Airlines to offer weekly cargo freighter to deal the glut that Kenyan interior carrier is ineffective to handle . This intervention see Ethiopian ship 1,600 tonnes from Nairobi during Valentines time of year which has bolstered the growers ’ earnings .
And in a human race ’s first , Kenya Airways recently unveiled the repurposed Dreamliner 787 that is now set to carry lading as the airline looks to address the growing cargo requirement while finding alternative revenue streams in the backwash of depressed profit from rider travel . With the increased flight capacity and the converted freighter , content is billed to arise by up to 40 per cent .
It will take time for the heyday diligence to full recuperate from the roast on effects of the virus . The sphere is uptight about the uncertainty of the emerge strains of the virus and their implications . The good news is , despite the Covid-19 scare , players check the sorry could be over . The 2020 challenge has demonstrated that these hiccups can be address and it takes unity of purpose to rescue a sphere that offers a lifeline to millions of households and our economy .
For more informationElgon Kenya Limitedwww.elgonkenya.co.ke
