July 15, 2018, Nairobi. The 7th edition of IFTEX which was held in June 6-8 in Kenya, was a very successful one this year, according to all who attended. In every aspect the trade fair was rated as “excellent”. Both exhibitors and visitors were impressed with this year’s quality and diversity of displayed flowers and creativity of stand building.
The three- day event started off with the official opening held in the auditorium of the Oshwal Center in Westlands Nairobi, the place where the exhibition traditionally takes place. The guest of honor this year was the Principal Secretary Ministry of Foreign Affairs & International Trade, Dr. Chris Kiptoo. He praised all players in the flower industry for their contribution to Kenya’s export economy.
Best Stand Design winners
Winners of the Competition in the Best Stand Design in the category Non Perishables were: Bronze for Afrex/Cargolite, Silver for Panalpina, Gold for Elgon Kenya Ltd and Platinum for Royal Flora Holland. In the category Perishables winners were: Bronze for Oserian, Silver for Subati, Gold for Omang & Amor/Decofresh and Platinum for Fontana/Black Tulip.
Best Grower Quality winners
Winners of the Best Grower Quality Competition in the category Other Cut Flowers were: Bronze for gypshophila Cosmic of Tropiflora (Fontana), Silver for hydrangea Magical Trophy of Flora Delight Ltd, Gold for alstroemeria White Pears of Batian Flowers and Platinum for chrysanthemum Anastasia Green of Utee Estate Ltd (Black Tulip). In the category Roses the awards went to: Bronze for the standard rose Beyond Zero of Fontana, Silver for the garden rose Charming Lady of Oserian, Gold for the standard rose Crimson Sky of Fontana and Platinum for the standard rose Tiara of Uhuru Flowers.
Fresh Produce Africa (FPA)
IFTEX was held this year along the newly launched FPA, a trade fair in line of the IFTEX mission, but especially set up for the vegetable, fruit and herb industry of Kenya. For this purpose about 50 growers of fresh produce were exhibiting in Fresh Produce Africa (FPA), the name of this new trade fair, and located in a separate hall adjacent to the IFTEX halls.
American buyers
For the first time 15 American flower buyers attended the fair and pledged to come next year, encouraged by the long awaited direct flights by Kenya Airways from Jomo Kenyatta international Airport to New York, USA later in the year.
