Kenya’s flower export industry is coming under growing pressure as the conflict involving Iran continues to disrupt cargo flows, extend transit times and push up freight costs for time-sensitive shipments.
According to reporting by the Associated Press, the sector is losing as much as $1.4m per week as supply chain disruptions ripple through global transport networks. Over the last three weeks alone, losses are estimated to have exceeded $4.2m, based on figures from the Kenya Flower Council.
The industry says the impact is being felt on several fronts at once. Exporters are facing longer routes, reduced movement of cargo and a sharp increase in transport prices, all of which are especially damaging for flowers and other perishables that depend on fast and reliable airfreight connections.
Clement Tulezi, chief executive of the Kenya Flower Council, told AP that growers are seeing reduced cargo movement, repeated delays and significantly higher prices, making operations more difficult week after week.
The disruption is particularly serious for Kenya’s horticulture sector, which is valued at more than $800m a year and relies heavily on efficient export logistics. The latest turmoil once again underlines how vulnerable perishable supply chains remain to geopolitical instability far beyond their point of origin.
