Nairobi, June 8 -- Flower exporters in Kenya have lost an estimated Sh724.4 million ($5.6 million) over the past two months due to cargo delays, crop spoilage and declining market prices, as rising air freight costs and global disruptions continue to squeeze one of the country's key export sectors.

Exporters say persistent delays have led to late deliveries of flowers in key European markets. Given the highly perishable nature of the product, even short disruptions result in wilting, rejection or downgrading of shipments, leading to significant spoilage losses.

At the same time, inconsistent supply has weakened exporters' bargaining power, forcing some to accept lower prices in international markets, particularly in Europe, where buyers...