Kenyan flower exporters have warned that the rate and capacity levels in air cargo are at "critical" levels for farmers.
In the first week of October, according to Rotate's capacity database, airfreight capacity out of Africa into Europe fell 8%, year-on-year, while out of Nairobi, capacity was down nearly 12%. And rates have risen sharply.
"The rates for this winter season, which started last week, have increased substantially from Kenya," said Willum Van den Hoogen, managing director of Florius International.
"We observed a 15% rise in rates compared to the previous winter season. Compared to Ethiopia, the rates from Kenya are now 80% higher in the Benelux. What we are seeing is that structural and historical capacity is reducing due to East-West e-commerce opportunities and sea-air alternatives, driven by the Middle Eastern crisis. This situation, at the current rate and capacity, could become critical, especially during slower market periods and/or for heavier or bulky flowers."
Read more at The Load Star.