20 LUA JAN - FEB 2018
create a uniform code and link it to the
IATA standards as it is followed by every
operator in the world,” she said.
Though KFC may be able to put
together a single code for the flower
trade industry, who will take the lead to
implement the process remains a question.
For the Kenyan flower growers, Europe
continues to be a key market; however the
demand from the East (especially from
China) has surged in the recent past which
forces them to look beyond Europe now.
Key issues that need attention from
the industry include - inadequacies in
infrastructure, co-operation among
members, high transportation cost and
standardisation in packaging.
Packaging is crucial in ensuring the
quality and freshness of flowers from
the farm to the destination. The Kenyan
market is flooded with different types
of packaging boxes. As there is no
standardisation, the supplier dictates the
market. Standardised packaging will also
bring in consistency.re View fla
“As a sector, we all need to speak
the same language for consistency. As
stakeholders, it is our responsibility to
ensure standards are maintained,” said
Eddy Verbeek, general manager, Florensis,
a Netherlands based breeder and plant
supplier.
Parit Shah, Director, Silpack Industries
said, “We are raising standards by avoiding
previous mistakes in all matters packaging.
This is to provide consistency from
suppliers to ensure delivery is of standard.”
Jeroen van der Hulst, director,
FlowerWatch, added by saying, “Standards
means investing more on coaching the
workers at the farms and the processing
process. We need to borrow from our
partners by incorporating innovation in
our processes.”
Technology adaptation is different at
each level of the flower trade value chain.
This is again pointing to the pressing need
for a single integrated platform that makes
the communication easier.
Peter Musola, cargo commercialL to R: Eric Gysen of Liege Airport, Conan D’souza of Vegpro, Elizabeth Kimani of
Maasai Flowers, Chris McLean of Panalpina, Sarah Wangui of Network Airline Services,
Milton Nyakundi, Media consultantBart Pouwels of Schiphol Cargo