Two weeks ago, Valentine's Day was celebrated—a peak season for many flower growers, especially rose growers. Unfortunately, this time of year also brings negative and often misleading headlines, such as 'The Thorny Side of Valentine's Day', which frequently appear in local media. These stories deeply sadden not only flower growers but also industry organizations like the Kenya Flower Council, which has been dedicated to improving the sector and advancing sustainability efforts since 1996.
"The flower industry today is vastly different from 20 years ago. We've made significant strides in sustainability, but perhaps we don't promote or highlight these achievements as much as we should," says Clement Tulezi of the Kenya Flower Council.
Clement Tulezi at the IFTF 2024 in Vijfhuizen, the Netherlands.
Untrue stories
What upsets Tulezi the most are the untrue stories that continue to circulate—especially around Valentine's Day. Once again, claims are emerging that flowers are laden with pesticides or that Kenyan growers use chemicals banned in the EU. "It is simply not true that growers in Kenya can use any pesticide they want. We have strict standards and a regulated list of approved pesticides. If a grower fails to comply with these regulations, they are not allowed to export their products," Tulezi explains. "Additionally, KFC conducts MRL (Maximum Residue Level) checks—something that is standard for fruits and vegetables, but not mandatory for flowers. The same level of commitment applies to social responsibility as well," he adds.
"There is more judicial use of water, energy sources, pest-control products and inorganic fertilisers. Sustainability has become the hallmark of our industry. Today, growers have adopted renewable energy, integrated pest management systems, drip irrigation, rain harvesting and water recycling, and re-use of organic waste." explains Tulezi
Growers are adopting systems and tools to measure all these parameters, supported by KFC's Flowers and Ornamentals Sustainability Standard, popularly known as KFC Silver.
Also, the KFC have started pilots on measurement of water stewardship through Ecotrace App that will help growers on water footprint. "The Council is aiming for net-zero carbon emissions by 2030 and that every Kenyan flower is a symbol of planetary care."
Certifications
And these are not just words;the nearly 130 flower-exporting farms, that are members of the Kenya Flower Council, are certified under either the KFC Silver Standard or GlobalGAP. "This ensures adherence to stringent sustainability and social responsibility requirements. The strength of KFC Silver Certification is demonstrated in its position in the Basket of Standards of the EU-based Floriculture Sustainability Initiative (FSI)."
The KFC standard strongly sits in the Floriculture Sustainability Initiative (FSI) Basket of Standards, ticking all boxes – social, good agricultural practices and environment.
Spreading the word
Over the past 15 years, Kenya's floriculture industry has undergone a remarkable transformation as major investments have been directed at improving worker conditions, protecting the environment, and ensuring long-term sustainability. These efforts have not gone unnoticed by buyers and farm visitors, who are often surprised by the progress they witness. Tulezi appreciates the positive reactions, but regrets that such progress still comes as a surprise. He believes that the industry has much to gain from spreading this positive news more effectively. "The Kenya Flower Council has focused its resources on producer-oriented initiatives. We acknowledge that more must be done to communicate these strides on the global stage."
Cornerstone of Kenya's economy
The Kenyan floriculture industry is far from small, and the numbers speak for themselves. It directly employs over 200,000 people, supports another 1.5 million indirectly, and sustains the livelihoods of approximately 4 million individuals, the majority of whom are women. "In a country with an unemployment rate of 40%, the socio-economic impact of this sector cannot be overstated. It is a cornerstone of Kenya's economy," says Tulezi.
Supporting greater transparency and higher environmental and social standards
The Kenya Flower Council is eagerly supporting initiatives that contribute to the transparency of the industry and higher environmental and social standards. Last week, they announced that the fully support the decision by the French Agency for Food, Environmental, and Occupational Health & Safety (ANSES) to investigate pesticide exposure among floriculture professionals. "This initiative represents a critical step toward highlighting the progress, sustainability efforts, and transformative investments already achieved by Kenya's floriculture industry. The recommendations resulting from the ANSES study will mark an important milestone for the global flower industry. Kenya is eager to play a leading role in the move toward greater transparency and higher environmental and social standards, as these align with the values and ambitions of our industry."
"We also emphasize the critical role that logistics providers, wholesalers, and retailers must play in this journey. Florists, as the trusted link between growers and consumers, are uniquely positioned to champion sustainable flowers and enhance public confidence in the cut flower sector. Strengthening this trust is not just beneficial—it is essential for the continued success of the industry."
Kenya Flower Council remains committed to demonstrating that the country's flowers are not only beautiful, but also responsibly grown and ethically produced. "We look forward to engaging with ANSES, industry stakeholders, and policymakers to ensure the findings of this study lead to meaningful, actionable outcomes for all."
For more information:
Kenya Flower Council
info@kenyaflowercouncil.org
kenyaflowercouncil.org