International Floriculture Trade Expo, (IFTEX) Expo Kenya is in its second edition. The norma exhibition hall “sold out” sold out. This makes it the fastest growing Kenyan based African flower growers trade expo. The exhibition, will be held from Wednesday June 5 to Friday June 7.
As of this year growers from other African countries are invited, following the strategy to build the fair into the regional flower growers trade exhibition. South Africa is the first nation that has accepted the invite and will hook on to with a national South African pavilion.
Buyers are expected to visit this year from literally all over the world. The importance of Kenyan flowers in the world floriculture industry not only guarantees the diversity of countries from where attending buyers will come from, but the quantity and quality of them as well. The exhibition is aimed at polishing international market outlook for the horticultural sector specifically flower industry.
Kenya being the lead in the export of flower from East African region, its prepared to take home to the world’s biggest flower show overtaking Netherlands, Columbia, Russia, Japan and US.
” Our main aim is to promote and boost export from Kenyan soil, to bring buyers and growers in one socializing hub for a period of three days, this will help the buyers from western destination to spend time with the growers and be able to interact physically.
Its estimated around 150 participants will be participating from Kenya and East Africa as a region’’ said Dick Raamsdonk, HPP exhibitions president. Dick also said that Kenya has to look for New markets such as Russia not only to depend to the existing market entities due to depreciation of the existing markets. This expo will merge players together to boost market e.g in US and Canada as their other suitable markets.
According to Jane Ngige, Chief Executive for Kenya Flower Council, Kenyan journey started in Miami for buyers to import Kenyan flower terming it as A-quality, however Jane argued that Kenya needs to streamline its standard to be able to demand for its returns. Mechanism to be put in place to grant Kenyan farmers enjoy their products.
Kenyan Government is implementing vision 2030, under the economic pillar, Agriculture plays a big role in the economy. “ As Government agency our work is to develop promote, coordinate, regulating of horticultural products as well as guiding government policy. “ Dr. Alfred Sererm, Director Horticultural crops development authority.(HCDA).
Serem however said Government is looking for ways to minimize the cost of air freight to give room for exporters to transact business efficiently and effectively.