A technical team from countries in the East African region, which has been meeting in Kampala, Uganda, has agreed on a pact paving the way for free movement of labour in the region. Once the Kampala Common Market Protocol is endorsed, professionals, services and capital owners would be able to move freely in the five countries of the East African Community (EAC). Read more »
-
04Nov
Categories: Kenya, News, Tanzania, Uganda Comments: 0
-
30Oct
Categories: Kenya, News Comments: 0
Kenyan flower exports may drop 14 percent to 80,000 tonnes this year due to drought and a depressed world market, the chief executive of the Kenya Flower Council said. Read more »
-
13Oct
Categories: CSR, Kenya, News Comments: 0
On Monday 12 October, the Dutch supermarket chain Albert Heijn introduced mixed long roses under their AH Pure & Honest brand (AH Puur & Eerlijk). During a short ceremony in Zaandam, Mrs. R.C. Rono, Ambassador of Kenya, presented the first bunch to Mr. Albert Voogd, Director of Commerce of Albert Heijn. During the next two weeks, all Albert Heijn supermarkets will focus on the Pure & Honest theme. This new brand of Albert Heijn makes it easy for customers to choose responsible and sustainable products. Read more » -
29Sep
Categories: Kenya, Market research, News Comments: 0
A water rationing mode currently effected in Naivasha, the bedrock for flower farming, is likely to deny the country the revenue from improved sales ahead of the onset of the peak flower season later this month.
Analysts say the move is adding to the troubles the sector is facing. The industry reported a decline in demand for its products in key markets since the onset of global recession last year, as production drops further with the ongoing drought.
Read more » -
01Sep
Categories: Ethiopia, Kenya, Market research Comments: 0
Recently published trade data (Eurostat) covering the year 2008 shows that The Netherlands remains the leading gateway for flowers from a number of different developing countries. Nevertheless, one leading supplying country can be recognised: Kenya. Imports from Kenya increased by 13% annually between 2004 and 2008, while imports from Ecuador increased by 20% annually during this period. Imports from Colombia and Tanzania showed significant increases as well. However, the most notable performance was that of Ethiopia. Imports from Ethiopia increased by 193% annually, with imports amounting to € 63 million in 2008. Only four years before, the imports from this country were still negligible. In contrast, imports from Zimbabwe decreased by 18% annually during the review period, due to the unstable economic and political situation.
Source: ProVerde, Eurostat
-
05Aug
Categories: Kenya, ProVerde projects Comments: 0
Since 2003, ProVerde has been one of the leading consultants involved in carrying out CBI’s training programme for flower exporters in Kenya. To celebrate the finalisaion of the programme, a video has been published focusing on one of the participating companies: Wilmar Agro Ltd, an export company marketing the produce of a large number of small scale farmers (outgrowers).
Wilmar currently handles and sells products of about 3,000 growers of mainly Asclepia Moby Dick, Ornithogalum saundersiae, Ornithogalum thyrsoides, Papyrus, Crocosmia, Statice, Erynchium and Molucella. The individual grower sells his flowers to Wilmar Agro and receives his money within seven days. Most products are traded via the FloraHolland auction in The Netherlands.
Wilmar Agro assists the growers with knowledge and supplies basic material such as seeds or bulbs. The large number of growers is organised in product groups. Each group grows one specific product and contains the supplies of 15 to 30 growers.
The video can be watched at: video about Wilmar
Some more background information about Wilmar and their participation in the CBI programme: article about Wilmar
-
06Jan
Categories: Kenya, Marketing Comments: 1
Subsequent to the training in Ethiopia, we continued to Kenya and Tanzania to meet and discuss new training activities with the local trade associations (Kenya Flower Council and TAHA). In Kenya, I still had some time to pay a short visit to Valentine Growers, one of the farms that regularly participated in the previous training programmes.It was good to see that Valentine Growers is doing well. Direct trade is developing strongly thanks to their attention to sustainable rose production and their commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility.
Valentine Growers Co. Ltd is a flower farm located in Kiambu District approximately 15km from the city of Nairobi, Kenya. The farm started in 1996 and has since expanded to two sites with a total acreage of 27 hectares. The total annual production stands at 55 million stems per year. The main destinations for the roses are Holland, Germany, UK, France, Switzerland and Scandinavian Countries. Other regions include USA, Middle East, & the Far East.
In the cold store, we used the opportunity to take a few photos with the Fairtrade flowers that were ready to be shipped to the European supermarkets.
-
01Oct
Categories: Egypt, Kenya, ProVerde projects, Uganda Comments: 0
In January 2008, ProVerde compiled the ‘Handbook Cut Flowers’ for CBI. The handbook is an information source and reminder of all topics discussed during the Export Coaching Programme for Cut Flowers in Egypt, Kenya, Uganda and Zambia. It will also help you deal with some practical problems. You will find useful checklists, exercises, practical worksheets, and questionnaires. The handbook can be requested by your local sector organisation, i.e. KFC, UFEA, ZEGA or Egyptflor.