In 2011 Finlays Horticulture Kenya identified an opportunity to broaden its produce offer and incorporate fresh herbs into its own-farm production model. The initiative was born following an appreciation of change in European customer behaviour where a renaissance in ‘scratch cooking’ is afoot. This behavioural shift is part driven by popular celebrity chefs encouraging budding cooks to try new tastes and recipe combinations, and partly by a trend of increased home dining as customers tighten belts and spend less money eating out given the continued sober economic environment.
Finlays Horticulture Kenya Limited has levered historic relationships to cement a buoyant customer base and has taken advantage of existing company expertise and geographic production diversity to ensure that Herbs are grown in optimal conditions driving strong yield and a high quality finished product. Cool high altitude conditions benefit some crops like Parsley whilst low altitude hot climates favour others like Basil. Furthermore, our well developed trans-Sahara airbridge which operates every night from Kenya into a British airport offers a cost effective route to market for this volumetric and highly perishable cargo.
The array of Herbs on offer from Finlays is impressive with 16 different types including Coriander, Flat Leaf Parsley, Dill, Chervil, Oregano, Tarragon, Common Thyme, Rosemary, Mint, Chives, Sage, and Basil together with other less well known herbs like Garlic Chives, Lemon Thyme, Mellisa and Sweet Basil. This broad product portfolio provides a one-stop offer for our trading partners utilising Finlay farms on the slopes of Mount Kenya, the shores of Lake Naivasha, the Rift Valley basin and at lower altitude in Tanzania.
