Crops

Sustainability continues to drive modern floriculture. (Image source: IFTEX)

Kenya's floricultural influence and resilience in the face of global geopolitical uncertainties clearly reflects as IFTEX 2026 is set to return this year in Nairobi from 2-4 June with more than 200 exhibitors

Participants, including growers, breeders and supply chain specialists can leverage the event to secure businesses and partnerships for the long term as companies reassess strategies based on current market volatilities.

While sustainability continues to drive modern floriculture, other factors that hold commercial value in shaping the industry include environmental compliance, carbon footprint reduction, certification requirements, and responsible production standards.

Innovation, on the other hand, is contributing to market dynamism, from breeding and post-harvest performance to digital monitoring, freight optimisation and data-led production systems. To gain an edge, market players are focusing on launching solutions that respond directly to today’s market pressures while preparing businesses for future regulatory and commercial demands.

This year's exhibitor list comprises a diverse range across breeding, production, logistics, post-harvest technology and trade, to name a few. This means buyers can expect a showcase of premium flower production, new varieties, sustainable production systems, and export expertise.

Proparco announces partnerships to advance trade finance for agricultural value chains across Africa. (Image source: Proparco)

With an aim to fill a multi-billion dollars financing gap in agricultural trade, Proparco has launched the Africa AgriTrade Coalition during the Africa Forward Summit 

The financial provider has united 16 influential institutions to advance trade finance for agricultural value chains across Africa. The combined balance sheet currently stands at US$430bn, with signatories including AFG Holding, Banque El Amana, Banque Mauritanienne de l'Investissement, Banque pour le Commerce et l'Industrie, BPER Banca, Co-operative Bank of Kenya, Coris Holding, CRDB Bank, Ecobank Transnational Incorporated, Equity Group Holdings, KCB Bank, The Mauritius Commercial Bank Ltd, NSIA Holding Financière, Qatar National Bank, UBCI, and Union de Banques Arabes et Françaises.

A marked financing gap in Africa's agricultural trade is affecting multiple sectors from cocoa and cashew in West Africa to cereals and fertilisers in East Africa and in Central Africa, and maize, soy and sugar in Southern Africa. If narrowed even by a small part, it can result to freeing hundreds of millions of dollars in additional financing. This will reflect significantly on market access, employment, supply chain resilience and the security of food supply chains.

With current geopolitical tensions disrupting supply chains globally, the move comes at an apt time to support the financing of agricultural markets. The coalition can significantly strengthen cooperation between partner banks to diversify risk sharing across key agricultural corridors. Proparco will be leveraging its extensive experience in trade finance and guarantee mechanisms, aiding partner institutions in cofinancing, advancing risk-sharing tools, and by connecting banks to help generate more transactions.

The development aligns with the strategies of African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) for regional integration and the advancement of intra-African agricultural trade.

Following the signature of the declaration of intent, Proparco and its partners will move into an implementation phase starting in June, focused on identifying and structuring initial transactions, strengthening interbank collaboration and building a pipeline of operations.

The first transactions will see initiation as soon as in coming months, enabling solid financing flows across selected value chains, before the platform sees expansion over time as more institutions participate and collaboration deepens.

IFTEX will be held from 2-4 June 2026. (Image source: IFTEX)

Promoting sustainable floriculture, IFTEX 2026 is back in Kenya and will be held from 2-4 June 2026

The floriculture industry trade fair will see exhibitors like PATS, displaying their latest solutions in automated pest monitoring and prediction. Such advanced pest control will support growers in promptly anticipating pest pressure before things go out of control.

Moth pests like the False Codling Moth are especially challenging in Kenya. The PATS-C system uses AI to detect and identify moth species in real time, providing continuous insight into pest activity inside the greenhouse.

This year will see an upgraded version of the PATS-C system, with enhanced detection performance and additional data inputs such as environmental sensors.

Broekhof Africa, on the other hand, will be introducing Recy Clear, its next-generation 70% and 90% recycled flower sleeves made from post-consumer recycled plastic. Its value-added packaging solutions includes, SFK, flower boxes, and pallets.

Internationally preferred mono polyethylene packaging distinguishes Vaselife’s flower food sachets, making it fully recyclable without the need for complex separations because of mono polyethylene’s single-material film. This gives Vaselife an edge with responsible packaging and sturdy design.

The MiniQube combines form and function. (Image source: Minitube)

The minimalist digital microscope called MiniQube that has been developed by Minitube and QubeDot has won the international Red Dot Design Award 2026 in the Product Design category

Build upon exemplary innovation, the MiniQube combines form and function that deliver highly reproducable results in a clean, modern aesthetic. Bereft of complications such as screws or knobs, the fully integrated digital microscope is a significant advancement in standardised computer-assisted semen analysis (CASA). 

The award highlights the product’s clean, minimalist design as well as its successful integration of functionality, user-friendliness, and technological precision. Its autofocus, a motorised and heated stage, digital light control and well-synced optics optimise variability and considerably simplifies analyses delivery. 

The MiniQube enhances hygienic laboratory environments with its exceptional usability, ergonomics and durability.

The Red Dot Design Award acknowledges MiniQube's outstanding standards for laboratory equipment in industry and research, which are driven by cutting-edge technology and a user-centered design approach. 

While Minitube comprises an expert team on semen and embryo processing and preservation, its advancement requires relevant technical support as well. The MiniQube is thus an example of the team's equal expertise in related fields such as basic and applied research, product development and quality assurance.