- Kenya’s rose flower exports face increased scrutiny in the EU despite the market remaining the top destination for fresh produce.
- Kephis says that the EU has imposed stricter guidelines for flower exports.
- In addition to roses, capsicum has also seen a rise in interceptions, with seven cases in 2023 compared to zero in 2020.
Heightened scrutiny for Kenya’s rose exports
Kenya’s flower export industry, particularly its rose exports, is facing heightened scrutiny from the European Union (EU) as interceptions of shipments due to pest concerns have significantly increased. 2023 there were 37 interceptions on roses, nearly doubling the 21 interceptions reported the previous year.
This rise is a cause for concern, especially since Kenya is the world’s leading exporter of roses, making the stakes even higher for the industry. Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS) says that the EU has imposed stricter guidelines for flower exports, particularly for pests like the False Codling Moth (FCM), which poses a significant threat to Kenya’s competitive edge in the global market.
Pressure for Kenya to adopt new technologies
“We have a lot of work to do. The EU has clarified what they expect from Kenya, and we cannot afford to be complacent. The flower sector is being urged to adopt new technologies and solutions, such as magnesium phosphide treatment, to combat the FCM and other pests affecting various crops, including capsicum and herbs, ” said Alexander Muvea, who represented KEPHIS Managing Director Theophilus Mutuia.
To meet EU standards, Kenyan officials and industry stakeholders are now under pressure to implement better pest management strategies, especially in post-harvest treatment.
In addition to roses, capsicum has also seen a rise in interceptions, with seven cases in 2023 compared to zero in 2020. Herbs and other horticultural products are also affected, with interceptions due to rising pests like thrips. KEPHIS says it has introduced stricter measures for exporters to reduce these occurrences despite the challenges these measures present for businesses.
Muvea warns that the increased interceptions threaten Kenya’s dominance in the global flower market, mainly as South American competitors could gain an advantage if Kenyan exporters fail to meet EU standards.
To address this, KEPHIS has organized targeted training for exporters, helping them improve practices from production to packaging and export.
“So in as much as we are trying to fight the FCM, we still have a responsibility to fight against other pests that are also associated with these commodities that we are exporting,” added Muvea.
As the industry works to comply with EU regulations, stakeholders are calling for a collaborative effort between the private sector and regulatory bodies to protect Kenya’s horticultural exports from further market disruptions.
Read also: Kenya Looking to Boost Exports to $11.5Bn by 2028.
The EU scrutiny
The market access challenges come at a time when stringent market requirements in the EU remain the most significant challenge for Kenyan exports, according to findings of a market survey conducted by East African Shippers Council.
The Global 2023 Horticulture Report, presented at the Fresh Produce Conference and Expo held in Nairobi, shows constraints, including the high cost of compliance with EU standards, frequent interceptions due to excessive pesticide residues, and rising freight and air transport costs continue to dog Kenya’s exports
The report also warns of potential global market risks, including commercial disputes arising from issues such as non-payment for deliveries, further complicating efforts to expand Kenya’s export reach.
Regarding production, the report cites high input costs, fertilizers, fuel, labour, and inadequate extension services in the public and private sectors as some of the constraints. The EU remains the top market for Kenya’s Fruits and vegetable exports. 2023, for instance, the global production of fruits stood at 933,037 tonnes and 1,173,070 tonnes of vegetables.
The global share of exports in production was 12 per cent for fruits (114,899 tonnes) and 6 per cent for vegetables (74,300 tonnes). Kenya’s share of global fruit production was 0.5 per cent (4,242 tonnes), while vegetable was 0.3 per cent (3,388 tonnes).
While Kenya’s global share of exports in production was 3 per cent for fruits (131 tons) and 2 per cent for vegetables (78 tonnes), fruits contributed to 52 per cent of the total horticulture value.
Read also: Kenya Flowers Making It Big in the USA
