Solai Roses is based at an altitude of 2,000 meters above sea level at Nakuru, Subukia county in Solai, Kenya. With a lot of passion and dedication, the farm grows Solai cut roses on 25 ha, and they are planning to soon expand their greenhouse up to 40 hectares, planning to have commercial production in January 2023.
Solai Roses
Enkasiti and Solai Roses
"It all started with our farm Enkasiti in Thika, Kenya," explains Deborah Valk of Solai Group of Companies and Enkasiti Flower Growers. Since 1991, they have been growing roses at this site, located at an altitude of 1600 meters above sea level, and since 2016, they decided to dedicate a part of their 4,000 acre farm to roses. The entire farm also comprises Coffee, Tea, Macadamia Nuts, Dairy and Solai Wildlife Sanctuary.
Enkasiti
Enkasiti Roses cut roses farm exists since 1991 and is based in Thika, Kenya. Enkasiti Roses is located at an altitude of 1,600 meters above sea level and currently has 40 hectares of cut roses in production with more than 20 varieties. The average head sizes range between 3.8 and 4.5 cm and the varieties are divided into two brands: Enkasiti Roses Helen of Troy and Classic Roses. " Enkasiti has currently the following accreditations; MPS A, MPS SQ, Global Gap and Global Grasp", she adds.
Expansion Solai Roses
Solai Roses, MPS A+ and Global Gap certified, started in 2016 with the first greenhouses and cut roses plantings. Currently, Solai Roses farm has 15 hectares of cut roses in commercial production. By May 2022 Solai Roses expanded with more than 10 hectares of cut rose, which is part of the expansion plan for up to 40 hectares shortly. Commercial production is expected the beginning of 2023.
Roses in the greenhouse
Worldwide
Currently both Enkasiti and Solai Roses farms are supplying roses worldwide. "For many years Enkasiti farm offered roses to Royal Flora Holland auctions and also for Solai Roses farm, till the market focus changed and auctions became too expensive to operate."
Other challenges
Besides the high auction costs, they were also dealing with the well-known challenges;covid lockdowns and the increased freight prices and fertilizers.
Solai Roses team
Current demand
According to Deborah there is currently a high demand for big quantities purchase. "The colour is mattering more than the variety, we see."
For more information:
Solai Roses Farm
[email protected]