NAIROBI, May 30 (Xinhua) -- Kenya is set to begin exports of flowers through the standard gauge railway (SGR) by the end of 2022, an industry insider said Monday.

       Clement Tulezi, CEO of the Kenya Flower Council (KFC), said in Nairobi, Kenya's capital that the flowers will be transported via refrigerated railway containers to the port of Mombasa for onward export to Europe.

       "Transportation of fresh produce by rail is also better for the environment due to lower carbon emissions as compared to road or air transport," Tulezi said during the opening ceremony of the International Floriculture Trade Exhibition (IFTEX).

       In 2021, flowers were the largest source of foreign exchange earnings for the East African nation after tea, earning the country 109 billion shillings (about 934 million U.S. dollars).

       According to KFC, most of Kenya's flowers are exported through airfreight which is a quicker mode of transport.

       "The COVID-19 pandemic exposed the limitations on the use of air freight as many flights were canceled leading to a drastic reduction in air cargo capacity," Tulezi added.

       He revealed that transportation of fresh produce through the SGR is cheaper and faster as compared to the use of long-distance trucks.

       "This means that overseas clients will receive the fresh produce in better condition," Tulezi said.