Press Release
13 February 2008
Buy a Kenyan rose this Valentine's day
International Development Secretary Douglas Alexander asks consumers to buy
Kenyan flowers this Thursday
International Development Secretary Douglas Alexander today encouraged
romantics in the UK to buy Kenyan flowers this Valentine’s Day.
Farmers and flower producers have been working extra hard to get flowers to
market in time for Valentine’s Day given the unrest in the country.
 Kenya is the lead exporter into the European Union of cut flowers. Roses constitute more
than 70% of Kenya’s flower exports and by meeting demand for roses used on 14
February and Mother’s Day (March 2) exporters earn more than the rest of the
year’s sales combined. The Kenyan economy is already under great strain given
the political situation and a dip in exports could make the country’s problems
worse including many further job losses.
Douglas Alexander said:
"It’s encouraging to see that more and more people recognise the benefits of
buying products from developing countries as a way of supporting the poorest
people on this earth. Everyone can make a difference on Valentine’s Day
including to the lives of Kenyan farmers who, given the current political crisis
in the country, have been working so hard in such difficult conditions to ensure
their flowers reach the market in time for 14 February.
"Buying flowers from developing countries makes it easier for people there to
make a decent living. It’s also important to remember that flowers flown in from
Kenya aren’t grown in heated greenhouses so they use less energy than most of
those produced in Europe."
Help in choosing the right gift for your partner this Valentine’s Day.
Notes for Editors
The Kenyan horticulture sector is the number two foreign exchange earner
after tourism bringing in more than $250 million per annum and employing 100,000
people directly and more than 2 million indirectly. It is estimated to impact
the livelihoods of 4 million people.
Kenya is the largest supplier of cut flowers to the EU representing 32% of
imports. The UK is one of the world’s biggest importers of flowers and almost a
third of what we import comes from Kenya.
For more information on where you can
 source
flowers from Kenya.
Trade is the most effective method of reducing poverty and the UK continues
to be firmly committed to helping developing countries trade their way out of
poverty.
The Department for International Development continues to be a strong
supporter of the growing fair and ethical trade sector (positive impact on 7
million certified producers and their families through higher prices, greater
certainty, and access to markets) but shoppers also have a huge role to play.
Every two years, UK shoppers have doubled the amount of
Fairtrade goods they
buy.
A 2007 study shows that emissions produced by growing flowers in Kenya and
flying them to the UK can be less than a fifth of those grown in heated and
lighted greenhouses in Holland.
Related Links
 Back to top
| 
Directgov |
