NAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 31 – Flower export freight charges have risen by nine percent to Sh545.6 per kilo following flight disruptions linked to the ongoing Middle East conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel.
According to the Kenya Flower Council, freight costs previously stood at Sh493.6 before the escalation of the war.
The increase has piled pressure on exporters, with the sector already recording losses of at least Sh623.5 million since the conflict began.
Kenya Flower Council Chief Executive Officer Clement Tulezi attributed the losses to disrupted global air cargo routes, which have led to higher transport costs and shipment delays.
“Of this, approximately 2.1 million dollars represent flowers that perished before reaching the market, while 2.7 million dollars reflect reduced prices resulting from delayed arrivals and compromised quality,” he said.
He added that farms heavily reliant on Middle Eastern markets have seen revenues drop by up to 75 percent, warning that weekly losses could exceed $1.3 million if the situation persists.
Tulezi noted that five Gulf countries account for about 13.35 percent of Kenya’s flower export value, estimated at $722.9 million, with airlines from the region playing a key role in transporting perishable goods.
Kenya’s floriculture industry remains one of the country’s top foreign exchange earners, generating about $835 million in 2024 and supporting thousands of jobs now at risk due to the disruptions.
