In terms of roses, the IFTEX might well be the most important show in the world. With possibly a few exceptions, all major suppliers from Kenya, from Ethiopia and also from the other East African countries Rwanda, Uganda, and Tanzania were present at the show's 7th edition. In addition to growers, an important part of the world's biggest horticultural suppliers and trade companies were present as well.
Clockwise from upper left: Santosh Kulkarni, general manager of PJ Dave Flora; Jackson Wawena and James Cook, together with Lucy Kangeli visiting the booth of scented roses specialist Tambuzi Farms; Pardeep Sing, Riane van Hattum, Joseph Mbugua and Karel van Hattum of Jamafa Machinery; and Arfhan Mughal and Girish Appana from Black Tulip and Fontana Group resp.
From all over the world buyers registered, including, as HPP has emphasized repeatedly, a group of US trade companies. In general it can also be argued that industry confidence in the Kenyan floriculture future is steady. Recently many companies have been expanding their activities in the country, while in comparison the other EA countries remain small.
Kimathi Kabaka (Cargolite), Dave Kaplan (Afrex Trading) and Amnon Zamir (Cargolite), together in the booth of Afrex and Cargolite; Aline Musime from Ethiopian grower Greenhouse Horizon, one of a handful (7) of Ethiopian growers presenting at the show together; the team of Vatan Plastik; and Rose breeder WAC - Wagagai Agriom Combination - at the fair represented by Richard McGonnell (within floriculture also known for organizing the Naivasha Horticultural Fair) and Edo Kolmer.
IFTEX was held this year along the newly launched FPA, a trade fair in line with the IFTEX mission, but especially set up for the vegetable, fruit and herb industry of Kenya. For this purpose about 50 growers of fresh produce were exhibiting in Fresh Produce Africa (FPA), the name of this new trade fair, and located in a separate hall adjacent to the IFTEX halls.