Kenya's flower exports wilt as transport strike costs growers Sh200 million

Kenya’s flower industry suffered heavy losses on 18 May after a nationwide transport strike brought exports to a standstill. The disruption added to existing logistical challenges, costing growers an estimated Sh200 million in a single day. With freight charges already rising and demand falling, the sector now faces mounting pressure to recover lost ground. The strike paralysed public transport and left cargo trucks stranded, reducing farm attendance by up to 10%. Between 100 and 200 tonnes of flowers meant for export were delayed, increasing the risk of spoilage. Clement Tulezi, CEO of the Kenya Flower Council (KFC), warned that every shipment held up pushes growers closer to financial losses.

Before the strike, the industry was already losing around USD 1.4 million (Sh181.4 million) weekly due to lower demand and logistical bottlenecks. Freight charges had climbed by 9% to Sh545.6 per kilogramme, driven by flight disruptions linked to the Middle East conflict. With logistics making up to 60% of total production costs, farmers have little capacity to absorb further shocks.

South American competitors have stepped in to fill gaps in European markets left by Kenyan exporters. In response, KFC urged the government and industry partners to restore transport operations and strengthen long-term supply chain resilience. The flower sector contributes over Sh110 billion annually to Kenya’s economy and supports more than 200,000 direct jobs. A further 1.5 million people rely on it indirectly for their livelihoods. Without swift action to resolve transport issues, the industry risks deeper financial strain and market share losses.