Kenyan flower growers facing acute fertilizer shortage

Flower growers in Kenya are facing tough times ahead following and acute shortage of fertilizer which has had dire effects on their operations. Kenya Flower Council (KFC) notes that the country’s flower production could be adversely affected by the fertilizer crisis that has been ongoing since mid this year. 

KFC CEO Clement Tulezi says that the industry endured its 'worst' yet with over 1.6 million metric tons of fertilizer being held for inspection, delays which he describes as detrimental to flower quantity and quality.

Tulezi says the current challenges coupled with high labor wages has led to job losses despite the sector earning the country 82 billion shillings in the last financial year.

He says some farmers are facing cash flow challenges as KRA had delayed refunding 5 billion shillings the tax agency owes farmers in VAT refunds.

At risk is over 150,000 workers who are employed directly with flower stakeholders pointing at Kenya Bureaahead u of standards for the current crisis after holding back over 1.6 metric tones for inspection.