Airstrikes by the United States and Israel against Iran, launched overnight between February 27 and 28, have triggered widespread airspace restrictions across the Middle East.
International media reported that Iran and Israel, alongside several regional countries including Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Syria and the United Arab Emirates, either closed or restricted their airspace following the escalation.
The tightening security environment is now raising concerns in Kenya’s floriculture industry, which relies heavily on Gulf air hubs for exports.
Clément Tulezi, Chief Executive Officer of the Kenya Flower Council, told Capital FM Kenya on March 3 that the Gulf region plays a critical role in transporting perishable goods.
“The Gulf is a key air hub for perishable goods from Kenya. When airports and air corridors become congested, we see a reduction in available cargo space, delays, and diversions,” Tulezi said.
In recent years, Nairobi has sought to diversify export destinations for cut flowers beyond the European Union by targeting Gulf markets such as Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.
Data compiled on the Trade Map platform show that these five countries accounted for nearly 13.35 per cent of the total value of Kenya’s cut flower exports, which reached $722.9 million.
Industry stakeholders also fear a spike in air freight tariffs. Airlines are rerouting flights to avoid high-risk zones, increasing fuel consumption and operational costs.
“For the Middle East market in particular, any prolonged disruption to flights to hubs such as Dubai affects timely delivery, which is essential for flowers,” Tulezi added. “Our immediate priority is to protect quality through the cold chain and work with airlines and handlers to secure alternative routes.”
The situation compounds existing pressures. Since 2023, Kenya’s flower exporters have faced higher maritime freight costs due to the Red Sea crisis linked to Houthi attacks. Shipping firms have diverted vessels via the Cape of Good Hope, extending transit times and pushing exporters to depend more on air transport.
According to data from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics, Kenya’s cut flower export volumes declined by 12 per cent year-on-year to 102,475 tonnes in 2024 amid the Red Sea disruptions.
Analysts warn that the latest Middle East tensions could further strain logistics and profitability in one of Kenya’s most strategic agricultural export sectors.
