ISINYA, Kenya — In Kenya, the red rose symbolizes love while also serving as a critical component of the economy. The country’s government reports that over a third of its flower exports consist of roses, renowned for their durability and performance in vases.
However, hidden within these flawless blossoms is a tiny larva, the result of the false codling moth (Thaumatotibia leucotreta), a pest that not only targets roses but also affects various fruits and vegetables. This moth has wreaked havoc across agricultural regions in Africa, prompting the European Union (EU) to bolster its efforts to prevent its spread to Europe. The EU has designated the false codling moth as a quarantine pest, creating additional challenges for Kenyan farmers struggling to maintain their exports.
The Kenya Flower Council indicates that the discovery of even one live moth in a shipment can lead to the entire consignment’s rejection. Jacky Mwanzia, a marketer at Isinya Roses from Kajiado County, which lies south of Nairobi, expressed frustration with the stringent EU regulations. “They are too strict,” she says. “Most of our shipments to the EU are quarantined, causing significant delays. This inefficiency is detrimental since we need to fulfill customer demands. We are consequently seeking alternative markets with more lenient regulations, as we lose around 30% of our revenue.”
The flower industry in Kenya is a vital source of employment, supporting around half a million jobs, as noted by a report from the Central Bank of Kenya in 2021. Furthermore, the National Bureau of Statistics assesses the industry’s value at over $800 million, with roses accounting for approximately 66% of cut flower exports, valued at about $300 million.
Reports from the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS) reveal that EU sampling of Kenyan roses has surged from 5% to 25% since 2020, leading to increased quarantines and shipment cancellations. In anticipation of ongoing noncompliance among exporters, the EU is set to implement even more rigorous rules effective April 26, 2025, which apply specifically to cut roses from Kenya. These developments are reported by the Committee Linking Entrepreneurship, Agriculture, and Development, a French network promoting sustainable agricultural practices.
The favorable climate and soils in Kenya are ideal for rose cultivation but also encourage pest proliferation, necessitating the frequent use of pesticides to curb losses. A 2020 study conducted by the Route To Food Initiative, associated with the Heinrich Boell Foundation, revealed that 75% of pesticides used in Kenya are classified as highly hazardous. Almost half of these chemicals are banned in the EU but continue to be employed in Kenya, primarily due to less stringent local regulatory practices.
Exporters aiming to meet EU standards must navigate the challenge of adhering to pesticide regulations while also managing false codling moth infestations. “The EU has a zero-tolerance policy regarding caterpillars and certain chemicals that are essential for meeting our production goals, given the prevailing weather conditions,” explains Anantha Kumar, marketing manager at Isinya Roses. The company stands as a significant local employer, with a workforce varying from 800 to 1,000 individuals based on seasonal demands.
Consequently, the company is now looking toward markets that impose fewer restrictions. “There is growing potential in the Middle Eastern market, which is eager for our products,” Kumar notes. Despite the obstacles, Isinya Roses’ growers are not ready to forfeit the European market altogether. They are actively experimenting with natural pest control strategies, such as introducing beneficial insects, companion planting, setting up pheromone traps, and opting for organic fertilizers and compost instead of chemicals.
This year, however, flower farmers may confront a challenging Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day, historically peak times for global cut flower sales.
