Kenya: High rose prices in run-up to Mother's Day

Several parts of Kenya are suffering from heavy rains. In turn, it is affecting the production of flowers at many farms. This, combined with upcoming Mother's Day (celebrated in many countries on May 13) results in high prices at the Dutch auction. The rose prices, for example, are already 20-30 percent higher and are expected to increase even further the coming days.

Less flowers
"I've heard that rainfall usually averages around 600 millimeters in Naivasha per year, but now this amount has fallen in just a couple of weeks", says Amerik De Best, auctioneer at FloraHolland Rijnsburg. In turn, growers are dealing with more diseases, like botrytis, that are affecting the crop, resulting in a lower production. "Many flowers that do not meet the quality criteria are already thrown away at the farm, so less flowers will be on the market."

Higher demand
As there are less roses on the market, the demand, direct and at the auction, increases. Ivan Freeman of Kenyan rose farm Uhuru Flowers, for example, notices an increase in demand for his roses. He only supplies the market directly, but feels the decreased supply from many farms. "Compared to last year, we see an increase in demand." Fortunately, according to Freeman the rose production of Uhuru Flowers is not affected heavily. "The rains in our area, Timau, are not that bad, we are only dealing with a bit of botrytis."

And as the direct buyers cannot get enough roses from their growers, they will turn to the auction. So, this on top of the demand of the regular auction buyers, results in a sharp increase in demand at the auction as well, explains De Best.

Higher prices
The combination of high demand and low supply at the auction means high prices. According to De Best, the prices started to increase the beginning of this week and have increased by 20-30 percent already. And he expects them to increase even further. "In the run-up to Mother's Day, I think the prices for roses will increase day by day and they might even reach the level of Valentine's Day or even exceed."