As Valentine’s Day approaches, Andrew Wambua, Managing Director at Mzurrie Flowers, reflects on the challenges and successes of this year’s Valentine’s Day season. Despite weather-related obstacles, Wambua expresses overall satisfaction with the outcome.
Wambua notes that weather conditions posed the primary challenge this year, with unexpected rains in January leading to growing difficulties, including Downey Mildew and slowed growth. To combat these issues, Mzurrie Flowers implemented strict measures, including maintaining high hygiene standards in greenhouses and adopting integrated pest management practices.
In terms of demand, Wambua highlights a significant increase compared to the previous year. All red roses have been sold directly, and inquiries exceeded capacity. The demand for other colors, such as pink, white, and cerise, as well as mixed bouquets, also witnessed a noticeable uptick.
Valentine’s Day holds particular importance for Mzurrie Flowers, but Wambua emphasizes their commitment to avoiding excessive flushing of crops solely for this event. He mentions that only 40-50% flushing of red roses is carried out, as the company maintains year-round deals with direct customers.
Surprisingly, airfreight capacity challenges were mitigated this year, contrary to expectations. Wambua explains that additional capacity was provided by freighters, alleviating potential issues. However, long queues at the airport for lorries and trucks waiting to offload flowers presented an unforeseen challenge.
Mzurrie Flowers primarily exports its roses to the UK, The Netherlands, Norway, Switzerland, Sweden, Russia, and the Middle East. Despite the weather setbacks, the company remains optimistic about the success of this year’s Valentine’s Day season, attributing their accomplishments to strategic planning and proactive measures in response to challenges.