In response to continued political unrest and increasing military uncertainty in Ethiopia, the Selecta Group has announced it will relocate its unrooted cutting production from its Kunzila site in northern Ethiopia to its primary facilities in Kenya and Uganda, ensuring business continuity.
Selecta, a global leader in the breeding, production, and marketing of vegetatively propagated ornamental plants, has a strong presence in Kenya, with operations centered around the Lake Naivasha region—an area well known for its ideal climate and robust floriculture infrastructure. The company’s Kenyan facility plays a crucial role in its global supply network and is now set to take on an even greater share of production as it absorbs operations previously based in Ethiopia.
Headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany, the Selecta Group operates a vast international network that includes production and distribution sites across Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Americas. Its key hubs include locations in Spain, Italy, Colombia, and China, alongside its African bases in Kenya and Uganda. The company specializes in a wide range of ornamental crops—from bedding and balcony plants to cut flowers and perennials—serving growers, wholesalers, and retailers in over 100 countries.
To accommodate the expanded output, Selecta has increased capacity at its well-established farms in both Kenya and Uganda to ensure uninterrupted supply—particularly during the key poinsettia season. Crops such as pelargoniums and mandevilla—previously cultivated in Ethiopia—will now be grown at Selecta’s Lake Naivasha site, where the company already has considerable expertise in handling these varieties.
The closure of the Ethiopian site follows a thorough evaluation of long-standing logistical challenges and deteriorating security conditions. Despite extensive efforts over the past two years, Selecta ultimately concluded that it could no longer meet its safety and operational standards in the region.
Selecta Kenya operates a significant horticultural facility in the Lake Naivasha area, situated within the Nini Flower Business Park. This location, at an altitude of approximately 1,960 meters, provides optimal conditions for cultivating vegetatively propagated ornamental plants such as pelargoniums and mandevilla. Additionally, Selecta Kenya has a production site in Juja, near Nairobi, known as the KPP Plant, which complements its Naivasha operations.
Nini Flower Park, located on the southern shore of Lake Naivasha, has become a hub for flower breeders, offering expansive greenhouse space and a collaborative environment. The park features dedicated areas for commercial variety displays, new code trials, and budwood bank construction—allowing breeders to efficiently showcase their latest varieties to growers and customers.
By Catherine Riungu / hortinewscomms@gmail.com
