The horticultural sector has been hard hit by the coronavirus pandemic and stakeholders are calling for help.
In an online video by West Country media, international stakeholders in the sector say each day, millions of flowers are thrown away. “Right now is the time to buy flowers or plants for yourself, friends, neighbours or family. Help us.”
Through the BuyFlowersNotToiletPaper campaign, florists and garden centres are urging consumers to buy flowers for their loved ones during the coronavirus pandemic.
Kenya is Africa’s top flower exporter with an average of 360 tonnes exported daily. According to the Kenya Flower Council, the country is the leading exporter of roses to the EU, with a market share of about 38 per cent. About half of that is sold through the Dutch Auctions.
Already, over 30,000 temporary workers have been sent home and 40,000 permanent staff on annual leave, pointing to a possible industry collapse.
In this regard, UK High Commissioner Jane Marriott has urged her countrymen and women to buy Kenyan flowers.
“To those in the UK — we are huge consumers of Kenya’s beautiful flowers. 70 per cent of UK roses are from Kenya. 85 per cent of Kenya’s flowers are rotting, unsold. Please buy a bunch if you can: Cheers you up. Supports a vital industry (most are British businesses),” Marriott said on Saturday.
We’ll be back !!#coronavirusNederland #buyflowersnottoiletpaper #buyflowers pic.twitter.com/W4MELonuU0
— Fedor van Veen (@Together2Grow) March 19, 2020
This comes as fresh produce dealers seek to secure stable shipment channels for their products which has been slowed down by reduced freight services.
“We are now opening negotiations with individual airlines to get cargo flights moving again. With the new regulation in place, we can now resume the operations,” Ojepat Okisegere, CEO Fresh Produce Consortium of Kenya, said.
There is, however, no reprieve as about a million people who directly or indirectly depend on Kenya’s flower industry face an uncertain future in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.
“We have been losing Sh20 million per day due to the coronavirus outbreak. This is a very huge amount, which makes it very difficult for us to operate,” Clement Tulezi, the Kenya Flower Council CEO, said.
SygentaFlowers Europe tweeted, “Did you know that flowers help you to feel better? Color up your home with your favorite flowers and plants and with that support.”
Philips Horticulture said many flower growers are hit hard by the coronavirus crisis, and so many flowers are being destroyed.
“How can you help? Easy! Give flowers to health care workers or elderly who deserve some happiness right now, or brighten up your home with a fresh bunch,” Philips Horticulture said on Twitter.
