The flower sector has fully recovered from Covid-19 impacts although lack of cargo flights and high prices of fertiliser continues to be a major challenge.
Kenya Flower Council (KFC) says transportation of flowers across the European Union (EU) is now easier unlike a year ago. This came as the farmers identified the escalating prices of fuel and fertiliser as the major challenges currently facing the sector that employs thousands directly and indirectly.
Clement Tulezi, KFC chief executive said the sector had fully recovered from the adverse effects of the pandemic with transportation of cargo generally back to had eased though the availability of freights continued to be a challenge.
“Currently, the emerging challenges in the sector are the new stringent rules by the EU which include reducing the use of chemicals, fertiliser and water by the farmers,” Clement Tulezi as quoted by People Daily.
Speaking to Business Hub on the current situation, Tulezi said though the situation has returned to pre-Covid levels, fertiliser is still a challenge to the farmers with the current stock set to last for three months, raising fears of a shortage in the coming weeks.
“The current crisis has been brought about by the war between Russia and Ukraine and we hope that the government can assist the farmers to import cheaper materials to produce fertilizer. In production, farmers are currently exporting 3,500 tonnes per week, which is expected to rise in the coming week during International Mother’s Day.” Clement Tulezi.
The flower sector however said that they were keenly monitoring the political situation, warning that any signs of chaos could completely disrupt the industry.
