Flowers accounted for the largest export share in values with the country exporting 102,475.80 tonnes valued at KSh72.1 billion (53% of total export values) in 2024.

The European Union (EU), which is a leading importer of Kenya horticultural produce started regulating the False Codling Moth (FCM) in 2017 which is endemic in Sub-Saharan Africa and is recorded as widely distributed in Kenya, mainly affecting flowers and a wide range of host crops including citrus, avocado, and vegetables.

In 2023, the EU commissioned a study by European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), which indicated that fresh cut roses pose a risk of introducing FCM to EU.

Additionally, in July 2024, the EU enacted a new regulation (regulation 2004/2024) introducing more stringent measures for export of fresh cut roses to the EU.

The regulation which shall be effected in Kenya on 26th April 2025, requires significant changes in production and supply of roses. If the requirements are not fully met, there is a high risk of disrupting export of flowers to EU.

In 2024, there were 95 rejections of Kenyan export consignments and 48 interceptions (2.1 million stems), due to FCM with an estimated value of 1.05 million Euro.

To address this, the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development is now declaring a zero tolerance to FCM and commits to ensure 100% compliance with the EU regulations.

Kenya has chosen to implement the Systems approach which includes one of the four options given by the EU and already we have;

• Developed and submitted FCM System Approach Protocol to EU.
• Submitted to EU evidence of efficacy of the systems approach being used for FCM
  management at the production sites.
• Submitted the list of 134 approved production sites to EU. For traceability in the event
  of any conformity, a code has been issued to each of the farms.

Further, the following interventions are ongoing through our Competent Authorities (KEPHIS, KALRO, PCPB & AFA):

• Implementing the FCM Systems Approach method to ensure compliance with the EU
  regulations.
• Submitted the FCM Systems Approach Protocol to EU as Kenya’s description of adopted
  measures to assure compliance for Kenya produce being exported to EU.
• Training actors in the floriculture sub-sector to align with the new regulation. Already
  475 agro attendants have been trained and over 849 staff.
• Registering pest control products by PCPB for management of the pest.
  With all this in place I would like to ensure the EU that our compliance will be at 100%
  and our produce will meet the highest quality standards, ensuring that no FCM is ever
  detected in our flowers again.