The fourth edition of the Kenyan based flower exhibition IFTEX ended last with good results for all participating companies. Although less international flower buyers attended the show, the quality of visitors was high resulting in a good overall outcome. Overall, 223 exhibiting companies and 2,778 participants attended the three day fair that was held in the Oshwal Center in Westlands, Nairobi.

The expo was opened by Kenya’s First Lady, Margaret Kenyatta. In her speech while opening the expo she said,“I wish to reassure all the consumers of our highly acclaimed flowers that the country continuously strives for responsible and safe production of cut flowers. We also strive to protect and conserve the natural environment and promote the welfare of all farm staff for sustainability”.

Speaking during the event the First Lady appreciated the role that the floriculture industry plays in Kenya’s economy and especially its contribution to women empowerment. “I wish to appreciate the role of the Kenya Flower Council who have in recent years, sustained campaigns to promote a local culture for flowers. These promotions not only provide jobs amongst innovative and business-minded young Kenyans, but also showcase Kenya as an internationally acknowledged flower producing country. Key activities around Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day and other social events including marriage ceremonies are never complete without flowers. Flowers bring a touch of eternity, joy, love and beauty to the world,” She added.

The highlight of the opening ceremony was the launch of Lady Margaret variety named after H.E Margaret Kenyatta. The variety was bred by Van Kleef. On the same occasion, Kenyan Government Agriculture Principal Secretary, Cecily Kariuki, announced that the government is considering possibilities of reducing freight costs to boost the sector’s economic potential. She added that the government is consulting different stakeholders so as to create conducive facilities for further growth of the sector. She added that the government was making negotiations to have direct flights from Kenya to the United States.

On his part the Japanese Ambassador noted that Kenya is the largest exporter of cut flowers to Japan. He said that consumption of flowers in Japan is still low and urged the Japanese men to change their mindset and accelerate the consumption of flowers as is happening in Kenya. He noted that flowers have a therapeutic effect and helps people to relax amidst stress.

H.E Joost Reintjes, the Netherlands ambassador to Kenya lauded the vibrant trade relation between Kenya and Holland noting that most of the flowers going to Europe land in Holland before dispatch to other destinations. He invited the First Lady to Holland to see the biggest flower Market and while there to participate in the Dutch Marathon.

Speaking during the opening, KFC’s Chairman Mr Richard Fox said that the floriculture industry does business sustainably- looking after the environment and meeting its socio-economic responsibility. He noted that the industry raked in KES 54.6 billion last year. That it employs over 100, 000 people directly most of them women, approximately 500,000 people indirectly and providing livelihoods to at least 2 million people. He appreciated the Government’s efforts through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade to promote Kenya’s flower trade around the World.

The quality as well as the number of varieties of flowers displayed flowers was astonishing, bringing the trade fair again to a higher level. National and international visitors walked the show for 3 days in a row and filled the aisles daily from 10:00 am in the morning until closing time of the show at 18:00 hrs. Even on the last day it was a full house until in the late afternoon. In short, IFTEX once more proved to be one of world’s leading flower trade shows.

The first lady was honoured to present trophies to the winners of the various categories of exhibitors who included small scale farmers and florists from Kenya. The awards for the participants in the different quality competitions this year went to the following companies:

Best breeder-Roses

The Best Flowers Quality Awards for Breeders in the category “Roses”: Bronze was there for Olij Breeding Ltd with the Standard Rose “Long Island”. Silver was there for Select Breeding B.V. with the standard rose ”Mon Amour”. Gold was for Preesman HBV Kenya LTD with the standard rose “New Orleans” and finally Platinum was awarded to De Ruiter East Africa Ltd with the standard rose “Rhodos”.

Best Grower-Roses

The Best Flowers Quality Awards in the category “Roses”: Bronze was there for Uhuru Flowers Ltd with the standard rose “Tiara”. Silver was there for Subati Flowers Limited with the spray rose “Shivani”. Gold was for Amor/ Omang with the standard rose “Wild Look”. Finally Platinum was given to Ayana with the standard rose “Tycoon”.

Best Breeder Excluding Roses

The Best Flowers Quality Award for Breeders in the category “Cut flowers, excluding roses”: Gold was there for Danziger with Gypsophila “My Pink”.

Best Grower Excluding Roses
The Best Flowers Quality Awards for Growers in the category ”Cut Flowers, excluding roses”: Bronze was there for Elpis Farms with Hypericum “Green Power”. Silver was there for Multgrow Investments with Eryngium “Magical Anita”. Gold was for Oserian Development Company with Phlox “White Cap”. Finally Platinum was given to Utee State with an Eastern Hybrid Lilium “Double Surprise”.