Kenya Flower Council has warned that Kenya’s flower industry is facing major losses due to disruptions caused by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
The crisis has affected air cargo routes, leading to flight delays, cancellations and higher transport costs. Exporters have already lost about KSh 220 million in just a few weeks, with many flowers going bad before reaching international markets.
The council says the situation is putting thousands of jobs at risk and hurting one of Kenya’s top export sectors. With reduced cargo space and rising fuel costs, shipping flowers has become more expensive and less reliable.
The industry is now calling on the government to release pending VAT refunds to help businesses stay afloat, warning that continued disruptions could lead to more losses and possible closures.