Logistics disruptions and soaring freight costs push key industry into crisis
Kenya’s flower industry is under growing pressure as global supply chain disruptions linked to the Middle East conflict drive sharp financial losses and weaken export performance.
Industry figures show millions of dollars lost within weeks, as exporters struggle with delayed shipments, extended transit routes, and record-high freight charges. The surge in transport costs has significantly reduced international demand, leaving producers unable to sustain previous export volumes.
Flower farms report drastic declines in output, with some forced to discard large portions of their production due to limited cargo availability. While the Middle East is an important market, the crisis has also disrupted exports to Europe, the sector’s primary destination.
The situation has been worsened by the suspension of flights from key regional carriers, leaving exporters dependent on fewer and more expensive alternatives. Stakeholders warn that prolonged disruption could mirror the economic impact seen during the COVID-19 pandemic, threatening jobs across a sector that supports hundreds of thousands of workers.
In response, industry leaders are calling for urgent government intervention, including the establishment of direct cargo routes to Europe to secure market access and stabilise the sector.
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