The Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS) with other stakeholders in Uasin Gishu County recently facilitated the export of fourteen tonnes of roses to The Netherlands.
The consignment passed through the Eldoret International Airport. KEPHIS Regional Manager Ephraim Wachira says that Eldoret Airport is increasingly playing a huge role in the export of plants and plant produce from the region. “We expect increased weight and frequency (twice weekly) in the near future as more exporters in the North Rift region decide to use Eldoret as their shipment port,” he said.
KEPHIS conducted inspections and audits at the flower farms before inspecting the flowers and issuing the phytosanitary certificate at the airport. The phytosanitary certificate is a mandatory requirement for all plant materials exports. KEPHIS is mandated to issue the phytosanitary certificates after inspection to confirm the plants are free from quarantine pests.
The majority of Kenyan flowers are exported to The Netherlands at the Dutch flower auction from where they are transported to other parts of the world. Kenyan roses consist of the highest percentage of all plant exports. Others are fruits, vegetables, herbs and spices.
