By VoiceNews.africa Editorial Kenya’s floriculture industry remains one of the country’s most resilient and globally competitive export sectors and a flagship contributor to the Bottom-Up Economic Agenda. The industry contributes approximately 1.6%of national GDP and nearly one-fifth of Kenya’s total export earnings, sustaining more than two million livelihoods across production regions.
In 2024, export volumes and farm gate values grew modestly despite global inflation and high freight costs—demonstrating continued market confidence in Kenya’s flowers generated KES 108 Billion (USD 835 Million) in export earnings in 2024 contributes approximately 1.6%to national GDP and 18%of national exports directly employs 200,000 workers and supports over 2 million livelihoods, particularly women and youth.
The sector anchors rural economies, supports county development objectives, and earns critical foreign exchange for the country.
Kenya Flower Council Chief Executive Clement Tulezi said the sector is growing rapidly and there is hope for better returns for farmers. “We are diversifying our market to other regions of the world like Dubai and China to grow this sector,” he said.
Despite the global and domestic disruptions of recent years, the sector remains resilient. With supportive policies, the industry can grow revenues from USD 835M (2024) to over USD 1.4B by 2030, expand production by 5,000 additional hectares over 10 years and also increase value-addition at source with a potential to add extra 20,000 jobs.
These ambitions align directly with the BETA pillars: export-led growth, job creation, climate-smart development and MSME empowerment. Rising Participation of Small and Medium Growers
The sector has recorded a notable increase in participation by smallholder growers supplying export markets through consolidation. This expansion is critical for inclusive growth, rural income diversification and accelerating Kenya Kwanza’s BETA agenda to empower small growers as engines of job creation and
regional economic development. The expansion of smallholder and medium-scale farms in counties such as Nakuru, Laikipia, Kiambu, Meru, Uasin Gishu and Nyandarua signals a healthy sector pipeline.
About efficiency and optimum productivity in floriculture, Tulezi assured farmers of a conducive working environment. “We are working closely with the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Services (KEPHIS) to ensure quality floriculture in the country,” said Tulezi