State visit and trade mission to Kenya: focus on floriculture
March 21, 2025
During the recent state visit of King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima to Kenya, Royal FloraHolland CEO Pieter Bootsma was part of the trade mission. During this three-day visit to Kenya, much attention was paid to the position and interests of the international floriculture industry. These are important topics for Royal FloraHolland as a cooperative and a platform. For Kenya, floriculture is one of the most important sectors.
Advocacy as the main goal
Reducing trade barriers and stimulating sustainable innovation in cultivation and refrigerated transport were the focus of the trade mission. Various discussions were held with key players in the Kenyan horticultural sector. During a logistics working group on the first day, important stakeholders such as the Kenya Ports Authority, the Kenya Flower Council and the Dutch flower industry came together to discuss the future of sea freight for more sustainable flower exports.
In addition, topics such as export and import taxes and phytosanitary issues were discussed. Participants in the sessions included, in addition to Royal FloraHolland, the Dutch Minister of Foreign Trade and Development, Reinette Klever, and the Kenyan Principal Secretary for Investment Promotion, Abubakar Hassan Abubakar.
"On behalf of Royal FloraHolland and the sector, I can look back on a successful visit to Kenya," said Pieter Bootsma. "We are actively committed to promoting the interests of floriculture, both nationally and internationally, and to keeping it on the map. This visit is a good example of this. I will soon be returning to Kenya for our member sessions. This is how we continue to build a strong co-operative together."
Improving the business climate
A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) has been signed between the Kenyan government and the Netherlands Business Hub (NLBH) with the aim of improving the business climate for Dutch companies in Kenya. Royal FloraHolland is a co-founder of the NLBH, which plays a crucial role in promoting bilateral trade between the Netherlands and Kenya.
Advocacy as the main goal
Reducing trade barriers and stimulating sustainable innovation in cultivation and refrigerated transport were the focus of the trade mission. Various discussions were held with key players in the Kenyan horticultural sector. During a logistics working group on the first day, important stakeholders such as the Kenya Ports Authority, the Kenya Flower Council and the Dutch flower industry came together to discuss the future of sea freight for more sustainable flower exports.
In addition, topics such as export and import taxes and phytosanitary issues were discussed. Participants in the sessions included, in addition to Royal FloraHolland, the Dutch Minister of Foreign Trade and Development, Reinette Klever, and the Kenyan Principal Secretary for Investment Promotion, Abubakar Hassan Abubakar.
"On behalf of Royal FloraHolland and the sector, I can look back on a successful visit to Kenya," said Pieter Bootsma. "We are actively committed to promoting the interests of floriculture, both nationally and internationally, and to keeping it on the map. This visit is a good example of this. I will soon be returning to Kenya for our member sessions. This is how we continue to build a strong co-operative together."
Improving the business climate
A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) has been signed between the Kenyan government and the Netherlands Business Hub (NLBH) with the aim of improving the business climate for Dutch companies in Kenya. Royal FloraHolland is a co-founder of the NLBH, which plays a crucial role in promoting bilateral trade between the Netherlands and Kenya.
First refrigerated train transport
One of the highlights of the royal couple's visit was the first refrigerated container transport by train to the port from the Inland Container Depot (ICD). The Netherlands is working closely with the ICD to make the logistics of refrigerated transport more sustainable. This first transport by train marks the logistical progress of Kenyan floriculture.
Visit to Kenyan growers
The growers Timaflor, Blooming Innovation, Alani Gardens and Van der Burg Roses had the opportunity to meet with the royal couple. During a visit to Florensis Kenya, topics such as energy management, the use of biological crop protection products and the social programmes for the health and education of Kenyan employees were discussed.
The King and Queen were also introduced to Integrated Crop Management (ICM), a systematic approach to combating diseases, pests and weeds. Thanks in part to ICM, the use of environmentally harmful crop protection products by growers in both Europe and Africa has decreased significantly over the past five years. This is evident from figures from MPS, the certification organisation that focuses on making the sector more sustainable through transparency and measurability.
About Kenyan floriculture
Kenyan floriculture provides direct employment to more than 200,000 people, indirectly supports another 1.5 million people and provides for the income of approximately 4 million people, the majority of whom are women.
(Photo header: Florensis)
One of the highlights of the royal couple's visit was the first refrigerated container transport by train to the port from the Inland Container Depot (ICD). The Netherlands is working closely with the ICD to make the logistics of refrigerated transport more sustainable. This first transport by train marks the logistical progress of Kenyan floriculture.
Visit to Kenyan growers
The growers Timaflor, Blooming Innovation, Alani Gardens and Van der Burg Roses had the opportunity to meet with the royal couple. During a visit to Florensis Kenya, topics such as energy management, the use of biological crop protection products and the social programmes for the health and education of Kenyan employees were discussed.
The King and Queen were also introduced to Integrated Crop Management (ICM), a systematic approach to combating diseases, pests and weeds. Thanks in part to ICM, the use of environmentally harmful crop protection products by growers in both Europe and Africa has decreased significantly over the past five years. This is evident from figures from MPS, the certification organisation that focuses on making the sector more sustainable through transparency and measurability.
About Kenyan floriculture
Kenyan floriculture provides direct employment to more than 200,000 people, indirectly supports another 1.5 million people and provides for the income of approximately 4 million people, the majority of whom are women.
(Photo header: Florensis)
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