Over the last years, after the crisis in 2015, many growers have been increasing their volumes to Russia. And the volumes from Kenyan growers seem to be growing the fastest. "Imports of roses from Kenya to Russia in recent years have significantly outpaced all other countries and increased by more than 50%", the organization of FlowersExpo Russia states in a press release. Also at this trade fair, this increase is visible, with every year a growth in the number of exhibitors. Also this year, the number of Kenyan exhibitors increased.
Some Kenyan exhibitors at the FlowersExpo 201. Clockwise: Naren and Ravi Patel of Subati Flowers. The team of Sian Roses, Nicholas Ambonya of Magana Flawers and Guido Zwart of Elgon Collection.
Russia is a flower-loving country and according to Eurostat figures, Russia is the biggest non-EU market for EU roses, at €28 million (45% of the total extra-EU exports of roses). The biggest suppliers of roses to Russia are traditionally Colombia and Ecuador, however - although both countries have seen demand slide a bit. Fortunately, when hearing out the exhibitors at the FlowersExpo of September, these growers gained back a bit of the market share they'd lost.
However, according to many exhibitors at the FlowersExpo 2018, the crises seem to have opened up opportunities for more Kenyan growers who grow on lower altitudes. Large heads and long stems have been the standard for the Russian market for decades, but when the crisis kicked in, the demand from this flower-loving country started to change. The ruble almost halved in value and fluctuated heavily, which made importing flowers expensive and placing orders risky. Importers were forced to change to less expensive flowers.
Buyers and end consumers have since become more familiar with this "new flower type", and even when the country's financial situation improved, these roses were still in vogue.
Of course, the Russian consumer is fond of the big head sizes and long stems, but these smaller sized roses have carved out a niche in the market.
Kenyan exhibitors
This year, according to the organization of the FlowersExpo 2019, the number of Kenyan companies at the Trade Fair increased significantly. This year, Milele Flowers; Mzurrie; Subati Flowers; Ultraflo Ltd; ZNS Group; AAA Growers; Everest; Enterprises Limited; Floriken Blooms; Sian Roses Kenia - will present their roses.
FlowersExpo 2019
Besides these exhibitors from Kenya, many more exhibitors will present their products and services at the FlowersExpo Russia. So far, 414 companies have registered.
The FlowersExpo will take place from September 10-12 at the Crocus Expo in Moscow.
For more information
FlowersExpo
www.flowers-expo.ru