High air-freight charges since the outbreak of Covid-19 has now seen flower farmers opt to shipping their produce to cut on transportation costs. According to the Kenya Flower Council (KFC), a pilot programme had been launched with plans to export more than 50 percent of their produce through the sea in the next eight years.
Since the pandemic, farmers have suffered major losses due to inadequate cargo-planes. Currently more than 1,000 tonnes can not get cargo-room weekly.
According to KFC CEO chief executive Clement Tulezi, they have embarked on training farmers on the alternative export channels saying this would address the issue of capacity and charges.
Tulezi said flower farmers that are exporting 3,500 tonnes per week adding that they expected this to rise to 4,200 tonnes during Mother’s Day. He said they are currently exporting 150 containers weekly as part of the pilot project adding that sea freight was the way to go.
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