16: 04: 2026
Kenya’s floriculture sector is once again navigating turbulent waters following a sharp and unprecedented increase in fuel prices announced in the latest monthly review by the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA).
The adjustment, Kshs. 19.00 per litre for petrol and a staggering Kshs. 30.00 for diesel, has triggered immediate concern across the flower value chain, from farm level production to international logistics. Petrol will now retail at Kshs. 197.60 per litre, while diesel stands at Kshs. 196.63 per litre in Nairobi.
For an industry that relies heavily on precision timing, cold chain integrity, and efficient transport, fuel is not just an operational cost, it is the backbone of competitiveness. The latest hike significantly raises the cost of running generators, powering irrigation systems, and transporting flowers from farms, largely concentrated around Naivasha and other production hubs, to Nairobi’s export terminals.
Diesel, in particular, is central to the sector’s operations. Refrigerated trucks that ferry cut flowers to the airport, backup generators that safeguard cold rooms during power outages, and heavy machinery used in farm operations all depend on it. A Kshs. 30.00 increase therefore lands directly on the cost of maintaining quality and meeting tight export timelines.
Floriweek spoke to some growers in Nanyuki and Eldoret who requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter and the fact that they are not official spokespersons. Their concerns reflect a sector under pressure.
“One day you are planning your logistics with a certain cost structure, the next day everything shifts,” said a grower in Nanyuki. “Diesel touches everything we do, from the packhouse to the airport. This kind of increase is not something you can easily absorb.”
An Eldoret based farm manager echoed similar concerns, noting that the impact goes beyond transport. “We rely on generators more than people think. When fuel goes up like this, it directly affects how we maintain our cold chain. And if quality drops, the market punishes you immediately.”
Growers are now facing difficult choices. Absorbing the added cost risks squeezing already thin margins, especially in a market where global buyers remain price sensitive. Passing on the cost, however, is equally challenging, given stiff competition from other flower producing countries such as Ethiopia and Colombia, where production and logistics costs may be more stable.
“We are already dealing with high input costs and unpredictable weather,” another grower noted. “Adding fuel at this level forces you to rethink everything, from harvest cycles to shipment frequency.”
The timing of the price hike compounds the challenge. The sector is still recovering from a season marked by erratic weather patterns, including heavy rains that affected production volumes and quality. At the same time, global logistics remain fragile, with ongoing geopolitical tensions influencing freight routes and costs. Air cargo rates, which had shown signs of stabilizing, could once again come under pressure as fuel surcharges adjust upward.
Beyond logistics, the ripple effects extend into farm inputs. Fertilizers, agrochemicals, and packaging materials, all of which are transported over long distances, are likely to become more expensive. This introduces a cascading cost effect that could redefine production budgets in the coming months.
Industry stakeholders are increasingly calling for policy dialogue and targeted interventions. Some are urging the government to consider relief mechanisms for export oriented sectors that bring in critical foreign exchange. Others point to the need for longer term strategies, including investment in renewable energy solutions such as solar power, which could cushion farms against future fuel volatility.
Despite the headwinds, Kenya’s flower industry has demonstrated resilience time and again. Its ability to adapt, through innovation, efficiency improvements, and market diversification, remains one of its strongest assets. However, the scale of the current fuel increase presents a new kind of test, one that will require coordinated action across the value chain.
As one grower summed it up, “The market will not wait for us to adjust. We have to find a way to stay competitive, even when the ground keeps shifting beneath us.”
As the sector braces for the weeks ahead, one thing is clear, fuel is no longer just a background cost. It is now a defining factor in the sustainability and global competitiveness of Kenya’s floriculture industry.