Cargolite’s new reinforced flower carton reduces damage, freight costs for Kenyan rose exports

KENYA – Cargolite has introduced a new reinforced flower carton featuring innovative polypropylene support frames that bear load independently of carton walls, protecting Kenyan roses during the 6,000 kilometre journey to Europe.

The innovative design represents a departure from traditional flower cartons, which have long been vulnerable to crushing during stacking and transportation. 

Cargolite’s system creates stronger packaging that protects flowers throughout the journey while creating better airflow within refrigerated supply chains.

The new design allows flowers to leave the farm on skids, travel to the airport on skids, and be loaded onto aircraft with minimal handling. 

Amnon Zamir, Cargolite’s Head of Research and Development, explained that the company has literally changed the way Kenyans handle flowers, optimising the entire process so that flowers are touched by nobody.

The Logistics Challenge

Crushed cartons, rough handling at airports, rising airfreight costs, and disruptions in the cold chain continue to erode returns in Kenya’s floriculture industry, which supplies an estimated 40 percent of Europe’s cut flowers. 

Cargolite CEO John Kowarsky warned that rising airfreight rates are becoming one of the biggest threats facing exporters, noting that airfreight is going to hit between four and five dollars per kilogram, and that at those prices everybody has to find ways of becoming more efficient. 

He argues that improving packaging efficiency can significantly reduce transport costs while preserving flower quality. 

The company has developed quarter-carton, half-carton, and sea-freight formats that enable growers to pack more efficiently, reduce handling, and maximise cargo space.

Environmental Benefits of the New Design

Beyond protecting flowers, Cargolite’s new carton design also reduces environmental impact. 

Because the packaging uses less paper and allows more flowers to be shipped per consignment, fewer cartons, trucks, and aircraft movements are required, lowering emissions across the supply chain. 

The new design also allows mixed flower assortments to be packed together and shipped directly to buyers, reducing the need for repacking in Europe and shortening the supply chain. For buyers, that means lower logistics costs and fresher flowers. 

For growers, it increases the likelihood of preserving the premium quality that has made Kenyan roses renowned worldwide.

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