Flower exporters in the country are worried that low freight will limit their capacity to meet orders as demand for the commodity rises. While the resumption of flights and the reopening of the European markets boosted demand, Kenya Flowers Council (KFC) says that exporters cannot meet rising demand due to low freight capacity.
Demand for the commodity is expected to rise between September and May as the high season begins, recording peak levels during February’s Valentine season.
“In less than three weeks, we will be in high season again. We need to get to about 4000 tonnes per week,” KFC Chief Executive Clement Tulezi told Business Daily in a phone call.
Currently, passenger flights carry horticultural products as belly cargo. However, the volumes transported are too low to meet the freight capacity needs of the high season. Clement says Kenya Airways transports 200 tonnes a week.
KFC says the demand for Kenyan flowers is now up to 85%, after hitting a low in March which resulted in losses of Ksh 8 billion. Kenya’s floriculture sector employs over 150,000 people in the country.
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