The 2025 International Flower Trade Expo (IFTEX) opened optimistically, with organizers and government officials reaffirming their support for Kenya’s thriving flower industry. Speaking at the official opening ceremony, Dick van Raamsdonk, president of HPP Exhibitions, the organizers behind IFTEX, hailed the sector’s resilience and steady growth, calling it a vital force in Kenya’s agricultural and trade landscape.
“It’s more than blooms and petals; it’s a powerful driver of both agriculture and trade, a sector that supports thousands of livelihoods and reinforces Kenya’s position in global markets,” van Raamsdonk told attendees, among them Chief Guest Hon. Mutahi Kagwe, Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture.
A Sector Built on People and Potential
Van Raamsdonk highlighted the flower industry’s significant role in Kenya’s economy, not just as a leading export sector but as a source of employment and income for thousands of families. “In a continent often defined by its challenges, Kenya’s flowers tell a different story, one of beauty, excellence, and potential,” he noted.
He commended the presence of two senior Cabinet Secretaries at the event, describing it as a clear sign of the Kenyan government’s commitment to safeguarding and advancing the sector. “Their presence here underscores a shared commitment, a recognition that the flower sector is not just about exports, but about people, prosperity, and progress,” he added.
IFTEX 2025 Numbers Tell a Strong Story
According to van Raamsdonk, this year’s IFTEX has registered impressive growth figures that reflect the industry’s upward momentum. The number of flower growers exhibiting at the show rose by 12.5% compared to last year, bringing the total to 82 out of 189 exhibitors from 18 countries. He emphasized that this confirms the show’s continued focus on growers as its primary exhibitors.
On the visitor side, the event has seen a sharp rise in interest, with pre-registered visitors increasing by nearly 25% compared to 2024. Particularly encouraging is the surge in international buyer registrations, which have grown by almost a third in the final weeks leading up to the show. “Based on these numbers, we are about to touch the 600 mark, an all-time high, with buyers coming in from no less than 65 countries,” van Raamsdonk reported.
The number of local buyers has also climbed significantly, rising by 20% to nearly 1,800 for this year’s edition.
Van Raamsdonk expressed optimism about the show’s prospects, noting that if the early numbers hold true through the event, IFTEX 2025 could mark a new milestone for Kenya’s flower sector on the global stage. “It really does look good so far this year,” he said. “The signs are good and that makes me optimistic.”
