Rift Valley Roses on Working with Fresco Flowers

A Picturesque view of Rift Valley Roses with Lake Naivasha and Mt Longonot complimenting the scenery

The picturesque Great Rift Valley serves the ‘natural ambiance’ that surrounds RVR (Rift Valley Roses) farm. While here, one can catch the attractive ruggedness of imposing ranges on one side, and a shimmering Lake Naivasha as well as the uniquely crated Mount Longonot thousands of feet below on the other side. But that is not what RVR is well known for. While here, you can get to see firsthand how some of the world’s best roses are grown and tended to before being set out miles away to rose lovers across the world.

L-R Peterson Muchiri (Farm Manager RVR), Stuart Millar (Director RVR) and Esther Chege (HR Manager RVR)

Rift Valley Roses farm was established in 2011 by brothers Gordon and Stuart Millar, third generation Kenyan farmers with enviable experience in the business. The farm sits on the shoulder of the Aberdare Mountain ranges at an altitude of 2,250 meters above sea level. In the beginning, the farm selected varieties from the intermediate range, with several bi-colors in production. But following an elaborate expansion, the farm now also has under production a wide range of Red, White, Pink and Orange varieties.

Harvesting Pink Tacazzi at Rift Valley Roses

Partnership with Fresco Flowers
Rift Valley Roses sells their roses through the flower auction system in Holland. At the auction, RVR products are handled by Fresco Flowers, one of the most respected flower packing companies globally. Fresco Flowers is located at Royal FloraHolland Aalsmeer, the world’s best known and largest flower auction.

With over ten years in operation, Fresco Flowers boasts a proactive team that understands the needs and interests of growers. Their core business is committed around continuous improvement in terms of range, quality and sales of roses. The company's technological platform enables them to integrate all business processes involved till the rose reaches the customer.

Fresco Flowers understands the quality standards of the customers and of the growers. That is why quality control is done not only in the finished product, but also throughout the entire production process.

"We have a good working relationship with Fresco Flowers that has enabled us realize a more efficient and solution driven process when it comes to supply of our flowers," says Stuart Miller, Director RVR.

Introducing Red Torch

On 15th January this year, about a month before this year's Valentines Day, the first stems of Red Torch grown by Rift Valley Roses were made available at the auction through Fresco Flowers.

Spearheaded by Gerjan and his Fresco Flowers team, the introduction of Red Torch a strong and bright red rose bred by United Selection was timely and quite successful.

Red Torch Variety-Profile at a glance

Production/m2/year 140
Average pack rate in a standard box-238
Average length-60cm

Freshly harvested Red Torch at Rift Valley Roses

Pink Tacazzi+

Pink Tacazzi+ is a very beautiful pink rose which is a product of breeder Dummen Orange. This commercially successful rose is grown by Rift Valley Roses and is available at the Royal Floraholland auction at Aalsmere through Fresco Flowers.