Startups
The Kariki Group of Companies was started in 2002 on the slopes of Mt Kenya. Subsequent expansions have led to the development of three additional farms in the Juja, Naivasha and Molo areas. The Kenyan cut flower industry is sophisticated and now one of the world’s leading suppliers of cut flowers with a reported 35% market share in the European Union. Lying astride the equator, Kenya has climatic advantages i.e. no extreme seasonal fluctuations and a high percentage of sunlight hours. Products are air freighted daily to Europe, Japan and other destinations. The company is a niche supplier of selected “summer flower” cultivars (Hypericum, Eryngium, Solidago) and has expanded its offering into carnations. Much of the flowers are marketed through Marginpar, a Dutch flower house.