"The International Flower Trade Exhibition (IFTEX) has come a long way, and it just keeps growing bigger and getting better.” Such were the words of the floral trade fair's organizer HPP Exhibitions’ CEO Dick Van Raamsdonk when he announced the upcoming 12th edition of IFTEX which runs from June 3-5, 2025 at the Visa Oshwal Center, along Ring Road in Parklands, Nairobi.
A professional event that goes hand in hand with an equally professional industry, this year’s IFTEX, as Dick noted, has seen a remarkable growth in the number of registered exhibitors, with more than 200 expected to attend the 2025 edition. Many more are still expected to join before the event kicks off. This, by all indications, is a sign of sustained growth in the flower industry.
More and More Growers Joining the Kenyan Floriculture Industry
More growers are coming into the Kenyan floriculture space. That is the logical explanation for the growth of the industry, as demonstrated by the increase in the number of new entrants into this year’s event. This, according to Dick, shows just how much the flower trade in Kenya is fast developing; showing a rejuvenated vigor, despite the apparent hiccups that, just like any other industry, it faces.
Dick Van Raamsdonk:
“It is apparent that there are many new exhibitors—mainly growers—who have registered to participate in this year’s event. This means many new growers are stepping into the floriculture space in Kenya. Yes, the flower sector is sensitive. It takes the best to make it and succeed. And the fact that we have more growers joining it shows the resilience of the Kenyan flower industry even after the COVID-19 hiccup. This year, even the number of visitors and buyers is expected to grow (by at least 20%).”
While challenges like freight capacities and costs, as well as import terms, have been key issues affecting it, the flower industry in this East African country, known to be the leading floriculture destination continentally and among the top five globally, has continued to see great revival, accompanied by a revitalization.
With breeders like De Ruiter, United Selections, Jan Spek Rozen, Kordes Rosen, Georges Delbard, Select Breeding, Meilland, Interplant Roses, Viking Roses, Nirp International, and others already established in the country, alongside the likes of Florensis, Royal Van Zanten, Ball Horticultural Company, Könst Alstroemeria, Dümmen Orange, Schreurs, Icon Selections, Danziger, and HilverdaFlorist’s Murara Plants, as well as growers like Sian Flowers, Subati Group, Red Lands Roses, XFlora Group, Shalimar Fresh, Primarosa, Heritage Flowers, Tambuzi Roses, Karen Roses, Uhuru Flowers, Rosetto, Isinya Roses, PJ Dave Flowers Group, Florenza, Exceptional Africalla, Flora Delight, Kikwetu Flowers, Everflora, Imani Flowers, Prime Flora Ltd, Vegpro, Black Tulip Group, Credible Blooms, Sierra, Lenana Flowers, Mount Elgon Orchards, and hundreds of many others, the flower industry in Kenya is experiencing quite a period. Yet, as many more players continue to step in every other day, the renaissance is quite unlike any other.
A Key Industry for Kenya’s Economy
The horticulture industry is really important for Kenya as a country. The flower sector leads in this course. This sector has continued to be a key source of employment and economic development. Flowers, according to Christine Chesaro, the Director of Kenya’s Horticultural Crops Directorate (HCD), essentially remain the most key commodity within the horticulture industry in Kenya. She emphasized this during the announcement of this year’s IFTEX, reiterating that Kenya is globally well known for its vibrant floriculture.
Taking up 47% of Kenyan flowers, the Netherlands still maintains the lead in Kenya’s flowers market, with the UK, Germany, the Middle East, and Eastern Europe alongside others emerging, presenting increased market opportunities for the country’s flowers. With this in mind, the country is, on its part, doing all required to ensure it reliably supplies the flowers needed in the required quality and quantities to these markets.
Dr. Isaac Macharia, a principal inspector, plant pathologist, and the General Manager of Phytosanitary Services at the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS), reiterated this. He also mentioned that the importance of the flower industry in Kenya, and elsewhere globally, can hardly be overemphasized. And that, for him, has been the reason they have been putting in all the effort to guarantee the best flowers come out of the country, to the markets anywhere globally. Basically, the relevant institutions have in place a systematic approach and strategies to safeguard this.
Sustainability Is Still a Key Theme for the Industry
Sustainability remains a key topic for the flower industry, not just in Kenya, but globally. The Kenya Flower Council (KFC), according to Catherine Mukoko, the Chief Operations Officer, is keen on the sustainability aspect of Kenyan flowers. For an industry that supports hundreds of thousands of jobs and the livelihoods of even more people, the sustainability element of the flower industry in Kenya can, therefore, never be overlooked. Such is why the KFC’s Flowers and Ornamental Sustainability Standard (F.O.S.S.), also known as KFC Silver, is an important certification for the flower industry.
Catherine Mukoko:
“In Kenya’s flower sector, KFC supports a globally competitive, sustainable, and inclusive industry. This is why sustainability will, just like in previous years, remain a key topic for KFC during this edition of the IFTEX as well.”
Among the key focus areas for KFC at this year’s floriculture trade fair will be to showcase the all-inclusive sustainability element within the Kenyan flower industry. Of course, other themes will also be incorporated: innovation and technology are both emerging trends that the flower industry in Kenya can highly benefit from if comprehensively leveraged. At the floral trade fair, KFC will, according to Catherine, be taking part in several important discussions that touch on sustainability alongside these other key topics.
An Opportunity That Cannot Be Missed
With the convenient platform to interact with different breeders, growers, logistics handlers, wholesalers, retailers, and other buyers, IFTEX presents an opportunity that cannot be missed for anything. One just has to be there to experience firsthand all that the Kenyan—and global—flower industry has to offer as the East African country welcomes the flower world to its capital city.
