Flower sector faces collapse as Covid-19 hits main markets
Kenya Flower Council CEO Clement Tulezi briefs the press on Thursday on the impact of Covid-19 on the flower industry. PHOTO | DIANA NGILA | NATION MEDIA GROUP
Europe’s total lockdown has exacerbated the situation due to the fact that most of the flower output from Kenya is exported to the continent.
A majority of the remaining 30 per cent of the market is catered for by the US and Asian economies such as China, United Arab Emirates and Japan.
About a million people who directly or indirectly depend on the country’s flower industry are facing an uncertain future in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.
With over 30,000 temporary workers already sent home and 40,000 permanent staff on annual leave, the Kenya Flower Council fears that should the pandemic not be contained, the industry would collapse.
