Growing opportunities in cut flowers

Time is everything in cut flowers. Therefore, predictably, what the US does not grow itself, it imports from from its back yard, with just 2 countries, Colombia and Ecuador, accounting for about 80% of its imports. As Andean Pact countries, they enjoy duty-free access.

However, in third place lies the Netherlands, whose exports doubtless include a large share of Kenyan flowers (industry experts estimate between 30-40%). Kenya’s growth opportunities lie in increasing this share of product going to the US as well as direct supply. However, Kenya should be wary that it does not cannibalize its ‘via-the-Netherlands’ market as it grows its direct market, leaving it with more value chain hassles but no more of the market than it began with.