The future is quite bright for African growers. Kenya’s advantage is her climate, being at the equator makes Kenya suitable for growing flowers. The climate is fairly stable. Kenya also has a very well educated and productive labour force with especially good middle level management capacity. The focus for Sian roses will be to maintain high quality and to expand its reach. Surprisingly, the cost of production reduced for us due to a reduction in freight charges as compared to the previous year and a reduction in the cost of inputs as well. Our initial fears due to the recession were therefore put to rest.

Sian Roses focuses on the premium market with 80% of our produce being sold at the Dutch auctions. The exciting new markets opening up for us are Japan and Russia but again through traders at the auctions who then sell the product. Of course African growers have an advantage by virtue of the lower costs of production since the need to use artificial heat and lighting is eliminated due to the sunshine. The natural heat and lighting also makes our product more natural, considering that in addition; we use integrated pest control systems that are mainly biological and not chemical.

We sell to bouquet makers and other traders. However, our flowers are packed in bunches and sleeves.

Sian Roses adheres to the highest set environmental standards i.e. MPS Standards as well as the Kenya Flower Council standards. 60% of the water used to grow Sian flowers is harvested rain water. The water is harvested into our large reservoirs. Biological pest control on the farm has resulted in 60% reduction in chemical use. Our production system involves recycling and proper disposal of waste. Sian Roses has been accredited with the ‘Fair Trade Label’ meaning that the proceeds from flower trade also benefit the employees.

I see the company expanding especially in the European premium market segment. We also plan to plant new and better varieties.

Blondine!® has a very attractive yellow colour and an excellent vase life. It is certainly a large yellow that has been missing in the market. For now, I see no weak points in Blondine!®.

Apart from Good Times, I don’t think Blondine!® compares to any other variety in the market. From a grower’s point of view, I would say that it is easy to grow and is hardy and therefore not pest prone. With a stem length of about 60cm, it is quite good.

Florists will be impressed by Blondine!® because she opens very well and has an excellent vase life. It is also a vibrant and bright flower that would cheer up any bouquet and bring life to any dull occasion. Well, I think the high end supermarkets should buy Blondine!® because of its long vase life and its target clientele.

Just celebrating Blondine!®’s entry into the market as it is a variety that has little competition. As a Quality producer of roses, Blondine!® fits into our target varieties.

Sian Roses is distinguished by our consistency and quality in the market and also provision of a wide variety of roses. We do not shy off from growing the latest varieties in the market. Our innovation and technology implementation also sets us apart from our competitors; our remarkable biological pest control systems set a high standard in the industry. The other Schreurs varieties we grow are  Marie-Claire!® Mariyo!® and Aqua!®.

Sian offices

Jos at his desk

Greenhouses

Cut roses

Cold room

Packed roses