2017 compared to 2016:
Kenya's flower exports: Increase in volume and value
According to the data of the KNBS, from January to May, the total export volume increased by 16.5 percent, to 71.951,41 MT in 2017, compared to 60.074,37 MT over a similar period in 2016. The value of exports, however, increased even more; by 20.7 percent. In the first five months of 2017, the flower exports earned the country a total of Sh42,4 billion (about 347 million euro), compared to Sh35,1 billion (about 287 million euro) earned over a similar period in 2016.
These figures are quite interesting, considering the fact that no rise in exports was expected. Last May, Xinhua Net reported that the Kenya Flower Council (KFC) expects the export volumes to remain stagnant due to prevailing drought conditions that prompted flower farms to cut back on new investments. "Due to insufficient rainfall in the key flower-growing regions, we forecast that exports will remain similar to last year," KFC CEO Jane Ngige said.
On top of that, the UK leaving Europe was and is still expected to hit the flower, but also the tea and vegetable, exports (source: nation.co.ke). However, according to the data of the KNBS, the earnings from exports to the UK between January and May 2017 even increased by 4.5 percent, to Sh16.9 billion (about 138 million euro) compared to Sh16.2 billion (about 132 million euro) over a similar period in 2016.
For more information
Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS)
www.knbs.or.ke