Unlimited quantities of flowers from East Africa can now be exported to the UK at zero per cent tariff, even if they transit via a third country, the UK government announced on April 11, 2024.
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The suspension of 8 per cent duty for cut flowers applies across the world but will be a big win for major flower growing regions in Kenya, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda.
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The duty suspension will remain in place for two years from April 11, 2024 to June 30, 2026.
This is particularly important for East African flower growers who transport their blooms via third-countries or auction houses before they arrive in the UK, according to the UK government statement.
The UK said that the temporary removal of export tariffs for cut flowers is aim at making trade with the UK easier and cheaper for growers in East Africa and beyond.
The move is expected to increase trade and further strengthen the economic relationship between the UK and the region.
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UK consumers could win big too – on price, seasonality and variety.
John Humphrey said, Trade Commissioner for Africa, said that this additional flower power will allow trade to bloom.
"We go far when we go together... or in this case, we grow far when we grow together, further reinforcing the UK’s commitment to the expansion of trade in East Africa,” he noted.
In the fiscal year 2022-2023, Rwanda exported flowers worth $4.5 million to the United Kingdom, Netherlands, Korea, and other international markets. At least 66 per cent of the exports were destined to Netherlands, while 32 per cent went to the UK.
In 2022, Kenya was ranked as the fourth biggest exporter of cut-flowers in the world, with 6 per cent of global cut-flower exports.
Ethiopia is the second largest cut flower producer in Africa, making up 23 per cent of Sub-Saharan African exports.
In 2023, the value of trade in cut flowers between the UK and Ethiopia was valued at £12.6m, Rwanda at £727,000, £839,000 from Tanzania, and £1.1m from Uganda.