Flower exports wilt under Middle East cargo crunch

Uganda's flower export industry is facing significant challenges due to a shortage of cargo space on passenger flights. The Uganda Flower Exporters Association reports that the reduction in belly-hold capacity, which typically carries flowers, has severely impacted their ability to ship products. This situation is exacerbated by the ongoing Middle East crisis, which has led to flight cancellations and rerouting, further limiting available cargo options. Consequently, exporters are struggling to meet demand and are incurring higher costs to secure alternative shipping methods.

The disruption highlights the vulnerability of perishable export supply chains to geopolitical events and the importance of maintaining adequate air cargo capacity for international trade.