Kenyan Roses Boom on Valentine’s Day

Kenya’s flower industry once again took centre stage during Valentine’s Day celebrations, with leaders pointing to its growing global influence and the livelihoods it supports. In a statetemt shared on X on Friday, February 13, 2026, Cabinet Secretary for Investments, Trade and Industry Lee Kinyanjui, highlighted how the sector continues to shape Kenya’s global export profile and support thousands of workers across farms, transport, and export logistics chains. He began by noting how Valentine’s Day has increasingly become an important moment for the floriculture industry as demand for flowers rises worldwide. “The world marks Valentine’s Day every 14 February. With a growing culture of gifting and celebrating loved ones, the day has steadily grown in popularity,” he wrote. He then turned attention to Kenya’s position in the global flower market and how the red rose has become central to the season’s celebrations across many countries. “For Valentine’s Day, a red rose is a must. Kenya is the fourth-largest producer of roses globally after the Netherlands, Colombia, and Ecuador,” he stated. Kinyanjui went on to explain that recent growth in the sector is expected to further strengthen Kenya’s position in international rankings over the coming years. “Given the expansion the sector has experienced over the past two years, this ranking is likely to improve favourably within the next three years,” he wrote. He also pointed to export performance data showing the economic impact of the floriculture sector on the country’s trade and foreign earnings. “Data from the International Trade Centre shows that in 2024, the sector generated Ksh 92 billion (USD 722.9 million) in cut flower export earnings, ranking Kenya fourth globally,” his statement reads. The Cabinet Secretary highlighted how European markets remain key buyers and how flower farming supports thousands of workers and families throughout the year. “In Europe, Kenyan flowers account for over 38 per cent of all flowers sold. This is no mean achievement. Every rose bought directly supports hundreds of workers who carefully tend the crop year-round,” he wrote. The CS concluded by expressing confidence in the sector’s future, pointing to favourable weather, skilled labour, and strong logistics networks that continue to sustain production and exports. “With Kenya’s favourable climate, skilled manpower, and efficient logistics, the future of our floriculture sector remains promising,” Kinyanjui wrote.