Kenya is moving to comply with the European Union’s (EU) new phytosanitary regulations for flower exports, as announced by Agriculture and Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe. 

The EU, Kenya’s largest flower market, accounting for over 70 per cent of exports, has enacted stricter measures targeting the False Codling Moth (FCM), a pest that threatens European agriculture. 

The new EU Regulation 2004/2024, effective April 26, 2025, introduces more stringent requirements for fresh-cut rose exports, posing a potential risk to Kenya’s Sh72.1 billion industry. 

Key economic pillar 

The floriculture sector, a major economic pillar, contributed 53 per cent of total horticultural export earnings in 2024, with over 102,475 tonnes of flowers exported. However, failure to meet EU regulations previously resulted in 95 shipment rejections and 48 interceptions, costing an estimated €1.05 million (Sh147 million) in losses. 

“In 2023, the EU commissioned a study by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), which confirmed that fresh-cut roses pose a risk of introducing FCM,” Kagwe stated. To mitigate this risk, the Ministry of Agriculture has declared a zero-tolerance policy for FCM and is implementing comprehensive measures to ensure 100 per cent compliance with EU regulations. 

A key strategy is the adoption of the Systems Approach, one of the four compliance options provided by the EU. This method integrates multiple pest management techniques to prevent FCM contamination. 

Enhanced training 

Kenya has submitted a detailed FCM System Approach Protocol to the EU, outlining pest control, monitoring, and compliance strategies. Additionally, a list of 134 approved production sites has been provided, with unique traceability codes assigned to each farm to ensure accountability. 

Extensive training programs have been conducted, equipping 475 agro-attendants and 849 staff with the knowledge to manage pest control and monitoring procedures. The PCPB is also registering new, effective pest control products to support farmers in eradicating FCM. 

Maintaining compliance is vital for Kenya’s global standing in the flower trade. The floriculture sector directly employs over 200,000 people and supports millions through related industries such as logistics, packaging, and retail. Any disruption in exports could lead to job losses, reduced foreign exchange earnings, and economic instability.