
The annual International Floriculture Trade Expo (IFTEX) was held in Nairobi, Kenya, from 6 – 8 June 2018, at the Visa Oshwal Center. Managing Director Shemulik Kedem, Rose’s Department Manager Ishai Sharon and Online Content Developer Jacquie Mwai were in attendance as representatives of F. Optimal Connection.
This year, as F. Optimal, we decided to visit the show and not to have a stand as we have usually done in past years. This proved to work in our advantage. This allowed us to move and network more freely and efficiently, a strategy that turned out to be extremely efficient.
According Ishai Sharon, Rose’s Department Manager, the show itself was a fruitful experience. “We succeeded to meet all of our clients in one place and also a lot of partners from the industry such as breeders and logistics suppliers,” Ishai affirms.

Ishai Sharon of F. Optimal Connection, Alessandro Ghione of NIRP East Africa and Shemulik Kedem of F. Optimal Connection

Shailesh Kumar Rai of Bellissima Roses, Ishai Sharon of F. Optimal Connection, Farah Shamji of AAA Growers and Shemulik Kedem of F. Optimal Connection

Agnes Wachuka of Flower City Kenya and Shemulik Kedem of F. Optimal Connection
The 3 days were really busy and productive. Besides the normal regular business, one of the main subjects was the market situation influenced by the extreme weather conditions in Kenya on the last 3 months and the planning further.
Another important subject was how to prepare and find solutions to the new calculated volume of the freight transport, done by the 2 big shipping companies, which became very critical for the profitability of the growers.
Further we got the impression that despite the difficulties, the atmosphere is good, the industry is strong enough to go on and develop further.
IFTEX 2018 was undoubtedly a great experience for us and we enjoyed every moment of it. We definitely look forward to next year’s exhibition. See you all at the next one.

Ishai Sharon of F. Optimal Connection, Ehiya Mohamed of Black Tulip Group and Shemulik Kedem of F. Optimal Connection

Ishai Sharon of F. Optimal Connection, Dirk Hogervorst of Dummen Orange and Marcel Orie of Khunne Nagel

Ishai Sharon of F. Optimal Connection and Jelle Posthumus of United Selections

Shemulik Kedem of F. Optimal Connection, Shivaji Wagh of Buds and Blooms Ltd and Ishai Sharon of F. Optimal Connection

Ongoing meeting between Shemulik Kedem of F. Optimal Connection and Jaco Morgan owner of Morgan Cargo and his colleague

IFTEX had the loveliest ladies

A buzzing day at the IFTEX 2018