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China-Africa Trade Information Service
Photo from Daily Nation
It is reported that Kenya is the world's third largest flower exporter, accounting for a quarter of the EU market share.
According to official of the Kenya Flower Commission Clement Tulezi, the opening of the American market has greatly increased the export of horticulture.
Horticulture export earnings rose by a third to hit Sh104 billion in the first eight months of 2018 compared to Sh78.2 billion earned during a similar period last year.
Much of the growth was led by a rise in flower exports, whose earnings are forecast to grow further after Kenya Airways late last month began direct flights to New York.
Latest data from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics shows that flower exports brought in Sh76.9 billion from sales of 105.3 million metric tonnes in the period, a 38 percent rise from the Sh55.6 billion earned up to August 2017.
Vegetables earnings rose by 9.6 percent to Sh16.9 billion, from 50,000 tonnes sold in the period. In a similar period last year, vegetable exporters earned Sh8.7 billion from 57,000 tonnes sold.