Horticulture and flower exports grew to 1,2 billion US dollars (127 billion Kennian Shilling in earnings, a 32.9 percent growth in the first 10 months of 2018. This was a 309 million US dollars big jump compared the performance during a similar period last year that realised 94 million.
The flower sector, which employs about 100,000 people, has made Kenya globally famous for its roses, carnations, alstromeria, orchids and gypsophila. Others are lilies, eryngiums, arabicum, hypericum, and statice as well as a wide range of summer flowers sold in retail chains in 60 countries.
Over 2018, the sector realised 919 million US dollar, being a 37 percent rise between January-October period compared to a similar 2017 period where 665 million was earned.
The vegetables subsector, now attracting small-scale growers via self-help groups, which earned 187 million in 2017, grew by 14.4 percent to realise a 215 million return this year.
The fruits subsector now enjoying support from county governments with the provision of seedlings and extension services on pest control and post-harvest losses prevention, recorded the highest growth.
It posted a 44.65 percent rise, with the farmers taking home 115 million compared to 80 million earned during the January-October period last year.
Source: www.nation.co.ke