Kenyan flower industry shifts from air to sea freight for sustainability and cost-effectiveness
KENYA – Kenya’s flower industry, heavily reliant on air freight, faced challenges as passenger planes were grounded, leading to exorbitant freight rates consequently turning to sea freight for its reliability, cost-effectiveness, and improved competitiveness.
Moreover, the African flower trade is undergoing a significant transformation in its logistics, with a notable shift from air to sea freight gaining momentum.
While air cargo has long been crucial for African flower exports, sustainability concerns, capacity limitations, rising costs, and competitiveness have prompted a reevaluation of transportation modes. This shift signals the need for the air freight industry to reassess its role in the supply chain.
Speaking at the Flower Logistics Africa 2024 conference in Nairobi, Christo van der Meer, manager of sea freight perishables at Kuehne+Nagel East Africa, underscored the importance of airfreight in the global flower supply chain.
Historically, air freight dominated the transportation of flowers from Kenya to Europe and beyond, with Kenya ranking as the fourth-largest exporter of cut flowers globally.
However, the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic disrupted traditional supply chain routes, prompting a reexamination of transportation methods.
Kenya’s flower industry, heavily reliant on air freight, faced challenges as passenger planes were grounded, leading to exorbitant freight rates.
Consequently, the industry turned to sea freight for its reliability, cost-effectiveness, and improved competitiveness.
In response to these shifts, initiatives such as the collaboration between the Kenya Flower Council (KFC) and the Netherlands to adopt sea freight for perishables have emerged.
Despite initial success, challenges such as the Red Sea crisis and longer transit times have hindered the widespread adoption of sea freight.
Nevertheless, industry experts believe that decarbonization efforts will drive further adoption of sea freight, aligning with the European Union’s carbon neutrality goals by 2050.
Eric Dumas, CEO of Ostend–Bruges International Airport (OST), highlighted the changing consumer preferences and the consequent shift towards more sustainable transportation modes.
He emphasized the need for the air cargo industry to adapt to these evolving market dynamics and the growing competition posed by sea freight.
Despite the challenges, the transition to sea freight presents an opportunity for the Kenyan flower industry to achieve greater sustainability and cost-efficiency.
The Kenya Flower Council aims to increase sea freight’s share of flower exports to 50 percent by 2030, requiring investments in technology and infrastructure to enhance cold chain capabilities.
Ultimately, finding a balance between air and sea freight will be essential for decarbonizing supply chains while ensuring the continued competitiveness of the flower trade.
For all the latest fresh produce industry news updates from Africa, the Middle East, and the World, subscribe to our NEWSLETTER, follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn, like us on Facebook, and subscribe to our YouTube channel.
Kenyan flower industry shifts from air to sea freight for sustainability and cost-effectiveness
KENYA – Kenya’s flower industry, heavily reliant on air freight, faced challenges as passenger planes were grounded, leading to exorbitant freight rates consequently turning to sea freight for its reliability, cost-effectiveness, and improved competitiveness.
Moreover, the African flower trade is undergoing a significant transformation in its logistics, with a notable shift from air to sea freight gaining momentum.
While air cargo has long been crucial for African flower exports, sustainability concerns, capacity limitations, rising costs, and competitiveness have prompted a reevaluation of transportation modes. This shift signals the need for the air freight industry to reassess its role in the supply chain.
Speaking at the Flower Logistics Africa 2024 conference in Nairobi, Christo van der Meer, manager of sea freight perishables at Kuehne+Nagel East Africa, underscored the importance of airfreight in the global flower supply chain.
Historically, air freight dominated the transportation of flowers from Kenya to Europe and beyond, with Kenya ranking as the fourth-largest exporter of cut flowers globally.
However, the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic disrupted traditional supply chain routes, prompting a reexamination of transportation methods.
Kenya’s flower industry, heavily reliant on air freight, faced challenges as passenger planes were grounded, leading to exorbitant freight rates.
Consequently, the industry turned to sea freight for its reliability, cost-effectiveness, and improved competitiveness.
In response to these shifts, initiatives such as the collaboration between the Kenya Flower Council (KFC) and the Netherlands to adopt sea freight for perishables have emerged.
Despite initial success, challenges such as the Red Sea crisis and longer transit times have hindered the widespread adoption of sea freight.
Nevertheless, industry experts believe that decarbonization efforts will drive further adoption of sea freight, aligning with the European Union’s carbon neutrality goals by 2050.
Eric Dumas, CEO of Ostend–Bruges International Airport (OST), highlighted the changing consumer preferences and the consequent shift towards more sustainable transportation modes.
He emphasized the need for the air cargo industry to adapt to these evolving market dynamics and the growing competition posed by sea freight.
Despite the challenges, the transition to sea freight presents an opportunity for the Kenyan flower industry to achieve greater sustainability and cost-efficiency.
The Kenya Flower Council aims to increase sea freight’s share of flower exports to 50 percent by 2030, requiring investments in technology and infrastructure to enhance cold chain capabilities.
Ultimately, finding a balance between air and sea freight will be essential for decarbonizing supply chains while ensuring the continued competitiveness of the flower trade.
For all the latest fresh produce industry news updates from Africa, the Middle East, and the World, subscribe to our NEWSLETTER, follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn, like us on Facebook, and subscribe to our YouTube channel.