In the 1980s, the Kenyan flower industry began to take shape and has grown exceptionally since then, becoming not only a significant contributor to the Kenyan economy but also a significant player in the global flower trade as the fourth largest exporter of cut flowers in the world. Kenya Flower Council (KFC), the Business Membership Association for growers, exporters, and key cut-flower and ornamental value chain actors, plays a key role in the growth and development of this industry. On July 21, their AGM took place, where they presented their Annual Report and gave an update on what they have been up to, how they see the outlook for 2023/24, and why they are optimistic about the future of Kenya Flower Council and Kenya's floriculture sub-sector. In this article, some highlights of the report. Click here for the full Annual Report.
KFC's AGM.
Kenya Flower industry
As said, the Kenyan flower industry has become a significant contributor to the Kenyan economy. The sector accounts for more than 70% of total horticulture export value, bringing in almost 1 billion euros per year to the national economy. The industry is one of the largest employers in the country, with more than 200,000 skilled and unskilled directly employed workers, mostly in rural areas.
With a combination of natural advantages that allow all-year-round production, skilled labor, and forward-thinking strategies, the sector proved to be a blooming success story, capturing the hearts of investors from around the world. Today, Kenya is a significant player in the global flower trade and the fourth-largest exporter of cut flowers in the world after the Netherlands, Colombia, and Ecuador. And KFC's’ membership represents 80% of the national production of roses as well as an array of summer flowers.
KFC Silver (FOSS)
According to KFC, the success of Kenya's flower industry is attributed largely to members' commitment to meeting the highest quality requirements embodied in the Flower Council Flowers and Ornamentals Sustainability Standard (FOSS). FOSS, popularly known as KFC Silver, has been identified as one of the most robust standards in the Floriculture Sustainability Initiative (FSI) as it has continued to gain commendable milestones and global recognition. "This has been through the great leadership of the Board of Directors, committed membership, and great effort by the secretariat in profiling Kenya as a credible source of sustainably produced flowers."
The scheme has retained accreditation to ISO 17065, which guarantees professionalism, accountability, and transparency in the certification process. The scheme's robustness has further retained its position on the International Standards Map and also on the FSI Basket of Sustainable Standards, where comparability with other standards is possible.
The KFC standard is supporting growers/exporters to meet social and environmental sustainability requirements by the market. The report states that it is the only standard that is needed and a standard that will continue to evolve to meet both local and global requirements. And currently, a total of 93 members have achieved certification to KFC FOSS Silver out of the total membership of 135 producers.
Richard Fernande and Clement Tulezi.
Richard "Kiki" Fernandes, Board Chairman, KFC: "It's important to appreciate that the Flowers and Ornamentals Sustainability Standard (FOSS), commonly known as KFC Silver/Gold, is a locally developed and compliant standard that is globally recognized."
Clement Tulezi, Chief Executive Officer, KFC: "KFC has embarked on defining its sustainability agenda. Social and environmental sustainability sits centrally in the KFC certification. Currently, KFC serves as a gateway for a number of partners who are working on solutions and knowledge in the areas of gender mainstreaming, water stewardship, carbon footprint and offsetting, sea freight, living wage, and energy management, among others. KFC has worked with over 60 members on sustainability projects in the last year."
Click here to read the complete Annual Report.
For more information:
Kenya Flower Council
[email protected]
kenyaflowercouncil.org