HPP Worldwide, a global exhibition provider, provides a round-up of what the IFTEX 2026 expo looked like and what it all means for the flower industry in Kenya and the country’s positioning globally.
For three days, from June 2 to 4, the Visa Oshwal Center in Nairobi’s Westlands District hosted the 13th International Floriculture Trade Expo (IFTEX), which drew 210 exhibitors from across Africa, Europe, Asia, and the Americas. It was the highest figure in the event’s history, coming at a moment when the industry is facing quite some headwinds, including freight disruptions and costs, and an increasingly complex regulatory environment.
But the message that came through, from the opening ceremony to the last conversations at the exhibition, was that the (Kenyan) flower sector is not just managing these challenges (from a position of weakness), but pushing forward from a position of strength. It is a resilient sector with all the potential to grow even more. So how was the event?
The Ideal Spot for Floral Connection, Networking, and Industry Growth
First things first, the Visa Oshwal Center, in Nairobi’s Parklands neighborhood, has hosted IFTEX for years, and those who regularly attend the event will easily tell you a lot more about the venue and how it now could be said to be synonymous with this floral fair.
Even so, despite a relatively slow start in the early hours of the first day, over the remainder of the three days of IFTEX 2026, the exhibition halls (including a temporarily extended section) were full of that unmistakable floral feel. They were dense with flowers, colors, dynamism, people in motion, engagement and networking, flower commerce, and much more.
The booths ranged with multi-variety assortments from different breeders and growers, and others in the flower value chain. Some featured elaborate design displays, others beautiful and novelty flowers in vases, all of which couldn’t go unspoken about by the attendees.
Yet, perhaps, one would say, the presence of numerous new entrants in the event, alongside the traditional participants, pretty much communicated the positive message that the whole event was not all about a forced optimism of an industry papering over challenges and difficulties, but an indicator of a flower sector that has a strong enough foundation to keep building on an upward trajectory.
The Record Turnout and What It Said (and Meant)
The roughly 210 exhibitors at IFTEX 2026 represented a roughly 11% increase on the 189 who attended in 2025, and marked the highest participation in the event’s more-than-a-decade-long history. But there was more that made it all important in that nearly one-fifth of the exhibitors were new entrants appearing on that international stage for the first time, which says quite a lot.
HPP CEO Dick van Raamsdonk, who organizes IFTEX, noted this at the opening ceremony, restating: “This year we have broken the previous record with 210 exhibitors under one roof, and one-fifth of the exhibition space was taken up by first-timers.”
For observers of IFTEX over the years, the event’s growth arc is quite telling, speaking of growth that hardly happens in an industry that has little confidence in its own future, but one whose people believe that being at the global table and maintaining momentum is worth the investment.
At the exhibition itself, you wouldn’t help but see the positivity (and optimism). The show was bigger than its predecessors. There were a lot more flowers than previously, including new varieties and novelty introductions.
Breeder De Ruiter, for instance, had a lot to offer. Their DREA’ME Collective was quite a hit. The breeder’s Big Five roses’ varieties, other new entrants, alongside their Anigozanthos, Hypericum, and Agapanthus, also made visiting their stand quite an experience.
Elsewhere, while breeder United Selections’ new premium Red Love rose may, perhaps, have stolen the show, attracting the attention of many who visited their stand, the rest of their varieties did not falter, either. Their traditional heavyweights (including their Blossoms series) maintained their appeal.
Plus, at the Meilland booth, a delighted Rowan Godfrey had all the positives to say about the event. The breeder introduced their new super premium red rose, Red MONARCH® Meiriposo. Many others made a presence at the show.
Danziger, Interplant Roses EA Ltd., Viking Roses, Murara Plants Limited, Könst Alstroemeria, Takii Europe B.V., Icon Selections, NIRP East Africa Ltd, Dummen Orange, Ball Floriculture Kenya, Deliflor Chrysanten B.V., Selecta, Anthura, Schreurs East Africa Ltd., Georges Delbard, Select Breeding, and many more were there.
The growers were equally numerous. Marginpar made an appearance at this year’s show, as well as others like Red Lands Roses, Tambuzi Ltd, Uhuru Flowers, Karen Roses, Sian Flowers, Black Tulip Group, Fontana Flowers, Subati, Isinya Roses, EMF Kenya Ltd, AAA Flowers, Exceptional Africalla, Mona Flowers, Van Helvoort Company-Kenya, P.J Dave Flora, P.J Dave Flowers, Ole Engai Growers Ltd., Lenana Flowers, Mzurrie Flowers, Imani Flowers, Kikwetu Flowers, Benev Flora…and well, these are just a fraction!
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