Kenya: "I have never seen a year as bad as this”

Kenyan flower agriculturist find themselves in a challenging situation at the consequence . Many suffer from the modification of regulation , with shipment now being calculated in volume alternatively of kg . Also , a shortage of fertilizer raised the price of production . On top of that , the auction cost have been low . It is that combining of factors that make the billet particularly challenging . “ In my 24 years of experience in the flower industry , I have never seen a year as bad as this year ” , says Sachin Appachu , general manager of Kenyan rose farm Bliss Flora Ltd.

Unaffordable transport“In former June it started off with the institution of volumetric weight for lading instead of weight by kilos , which is much more expensive , particularly for the high elevation farms that supply the large - headed roses . " In previously years , during down in the mouth season freight charges were contract to cater for the low seasons but this class it was the same gamy shipment prices all class round . That was biting the cherry double . ”

Low auction sale pricesSince June , the prices have been very down in the mouth , this combined with the increased freight costs , made discarding flower sometimes an even better option than sending them for Auction , Sachin say . regrettably those form of decision came too late . " By the meter we make such a fudge factor , often several cargo have already left the farm . "

Shortage of fertilizersSince October , the high prices of fertilizers also start up to play a major role in this challenging situation . The cost have been very high as a result of young and stringent step on local inspection of all fertilizer introduce by Kenya Bureau of Standards . " Imports stopped , so prices increase drastically ; almost twice the cost . "

How is the situation now?Now , a few weeks before Christmas , the situation still has not change , concord to Sachin . " Auction monetary value , load costs and the shortage of fertilizers do not relate . So , even when the blossom Price originate to increase in the campaign - up to Christmas , the other two challenge mentioned still remain an issue . "

And when spill the beans about the current auction bridge prices , so far , the prices are not establish an reading of increase except the Red Roses , which they should show during this time of the twelvemonth . " I expect and hope that they will increase when Christmas draw near . "

Regarding the freight that is now calculated in bulk , Sachin sees that most of the growers are accommodate to it . " Most agriculturist deepen the type and way of packaging . " However , for the higher altitude farms it remain a challenge , due to the larger oral sex size of the roses . “ The low altitude farm grow pocket-size heads , so they can pile more . ”

However , freight figuring will not change to Kilos for sure , with regard to production , " Prices need to go up a bit to cover , but it is tricky . With the auction , we do n’t have a say in the cost , and as they have been low for so long , more and more raiser are looking for direct sales . Then , they can send FOB as well . ” Sachin supplies 70 percent of its production to the auction and 30 percent direct . “ If I can get any opportunity for direct sales , I will emphatically take doing so . ”