Latest news with #KenyaNationalBureauofStatistics
Malaysia Sun
5 days ago
- Business
- Malaysia Sun
Kenya's flower exports poised to rise in 2025 amid growing demand
NAIROBI, June 4 (Xinhua) -- Kenya's flower exports are forecast to rise to 110 billion Kenyan shillings (about 851 million U.S. dollars) in 2025, up from 835 million dollars recorded in 2024, a trade lobby said Wednesday. Clement Tulezi, chief executive officer of the Kenya Flower Council, told Xinhua in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, that performance exceeded expectations during the recent Valentine's Day season, which is traditionally a peak period for flower sales. "We are experiencing steady demand for flowers from all key markets," Tulezi said on the sidelines of the International Floriculture Trade Expo 2025. The three-day event brought together senior government officials, flower growers and buyers, cargo firms, and exhibitors from 83 countries to discuss ways to reduce the carbon footprint of the global floriculture industry. According to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics, the flower sector is one of the country's leading sources of foreign exchange earnings, alongside diaspora remittances, tourism, tea, and coffee. Tulezi said that another driver of rising export earnings is the expansion of land dedicated to flower farming. The country currently exports over 100 varieties of flowers, with roses continuing to dominate, accounting for more than 60 percent of all floriculture exports. He said that the European Union, Britain, and the United Arab Emirates remain key markets for Kenya, while Japan, China, and Malaysia are emerging destinations.
The Star
6 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Kenya's flower exports poised to rise in 2025 amid growing demand
NAIROBI, June 4 (Xinhua) -- Kenya's flower exports are forecast to rise to 110 billion Kenyan shillings (about 851 million U.S. dollars) in 2025, up from 835 million dollars recorded in 2024, a trade lobby said Wednesday. Clement Tulezi, chief executive officer of the Kenya Flower Council, told Xinhua in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, that performance exceeded expectations during the recent Valentine's Day season, which is traditionally a peak period for flower sales. "We are experiencing steady demand for flowers from all key markets," Tulezi said on the sidelines of the International Floriculture Trade Expo 2025. The three-day event brought together senior government officials, flower growers and buyers, cargo firms, and exhibitors from 83 countries to discuss ways to reduce the carbon footprint of the global floriculture industry. According to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics, the flower sector is one of the country's leading sources of foreign exchange earnings, alongside diaspora remittances, tourism, tea, and coffee. Tulezi said that another driver of rising export earnings is the expansion of land dedicated to flower farming. The country currently exports over 100 varieties of flowers, with roses continuing to dominate, accounting for more than 60 percent of all floriculture exports. He said that the European Union, Britain, and the United Arab Emirates remain key markets for Kenya, while Japan, China, and Malaysia are emerging destinations.
The Star
20-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Kenya's tea exports drop 20 pct in Q1 amid dry spell
NAIROBI, May 20 (Xinhua) -- Revenue from Kenya's tea exports fell by 20 percent in the first quarter (Q1) of 2025 due to lower shipment volumes, the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics said Tuesday. The country earned 46.07 billion Kenyan shillings (about 356 million U.S. dollars) between January and March, down from 446 million dollars in the same period last year, the statistics agency said in a report released in Nairobi, the capital. Export volumes declined to 157,514 tonnes in the quarter, down from 169,830 tonnes a year earlier, a 7.3 percent drop attributed to reduced production following a prolonged dry spell. The Tea Board of Kenya (TBK) said in a recent statement that the three months were characterized by unusually dry weather. "This had a significant impact on tea production, mainly in February, with output falling by 21 percent in the east of the Rift and 18.6 percent in the west," said Willy Mutai, chief executive officer of the TBK. Kenya is seeking to expand its tea export markets beyond traditional destinations such as Pakistan, the United Kingdom, Russia, and Chad. The country has signed agreements with Chinese firms, aiming to raise exports to China from 12.2 million kg in 2024 to 50 million by 2030. Tea remains one of Kenya's top foreign exchange earners, alongside tourism and horticulture.
Fibre2Fashion
14-05-2025
- Business
- Fibre2Fashion
Kenya's garment-textile export sector anxious as AGOA expires in Sept
As the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) is scheduled to expire in September this year, uncertainty looms over 66,000 jobs in Kenya's garment and textile export sector. The AGOA agreement, introduced in 2000 by the United States, was aimed at helping sub-Saharan African countries become part of the global market system. It was initially set for 15 years, but was extended in 2015 for another decade. President Donald Trump administration's push for reciprocal trade deals has created anxiety among countries that benefit from AGOA. As the US African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) is scheduled to expire in September, uncertainty looms over 66,000 jobs in Kenya's garment and textile export sector. Despite President William Ruto reassuring businesses in December 2024 that the pact will be renewed, the US administration's push for reciprocal trade deals has created anxiety among countries that benefit from AGOA. Despite Kenyan President William Ruto reassuring businesses during a speech in December last year that the agreement will be renewed, the country, a key beneficiary of the trade deal, now faces a tense wait to see if its biggest trade opportunity will survive beyond September, according to domestic media outlets. According to the 2025 Economic Survey released by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS), the number of workers in companies accredited to export under the AGOA pact rose to 66,804 in 2024, a year-on-year (YoY) rise of 15.18 per cent compared to 58,002 in 2023. The sharp rise in employment followed growing demand for Kenyan apparel ahead of the anticipated end of the duty- and quota-free trade arrangement. This job growth marked a strong recovery after the sector lost over 8,200 jobs in 2023. Employment had dropped by 12.46 per cent from 66,260 in 2022 due to declining global textile sales triggered by high inflation that reduced household spending. The 40 firms operating within export processing zones under AGOA also scaled up their capital investments by 21.1 per cent to Sh38.27 billion in 2024. As a result, earnings from exports jumped by 19.20 per cent to reach Sh60.57 billion in 2024. This was the highest export growth since 2018, when export earnings rose by 25.80 per cent to nearly Sh41.58 billion. Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)
Business Recorder
30-04-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Kenya inflation rate rises to 4.1% in April
NAIROBI: Kenya's inflation rate in April rose to 4.1% year-on-year, up from 3.6% a month before, the statistics office said on Wednesday. On a monthly basis, inflation was at 0.3% in April, the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics said in a statement. Kenya's inflation rate has risen steadily since a low of 2.7% in October, but remains well within the central bank's 2.5% to 7.5% target range. Kenyan shilling steady amid scant activity Earlier this month Kenya's central bank cut its policy interest rate for the fifth meeting in a row to 10.0%, a surprise move aimed at further stimulating private sector lending.
