Our history

From the first produce of beans and strawberries in 1982 to the world’s largest grower of fresh cut roses, FGI’s history is one of pioneering people and new ideas.

Homegrown Kenya Ltd founded from humble beginnings growing fine bean and strawberries supplying Covent garden market in 1982.

Flamingo UK founded, focusing on Distribution and Marketing services

Flower Plus (Spalding, UK) acquired, Flamingo Holdings established; Sulmac farming operations in Kenya, becoming what we know as ‘Kingfisher farm’ today; Dudutech (Kenya) established, developing and manufacturing Integrated-Pest Management technology; Zwetsloots acquisition (Sandy, UK); Flamingo takes on Albert Fisher’s fresh produce supply base; Sunbird Flowers (South Africa) acquired; Skytrain acquired and Flamingo Flowers BV (Holland) established; Lingarden (Weston) acquired, relocation of Flamingo Produce (UK) to Stevenage.

Flamingo Holdings bought by Finlays (part of John Swire & Sons), bringing Omniflora (Germany) into Group operations, rebranding from Flamingo to Finlays; FV SeleQt (Holland) formed under joint venture with Best Fresh Group; fresh herbs added to product portfolio and farming programme; formulation of Preferred Partner Programme; investment programme in farms accelerated (e.g., water storage at Mount Kenya, packhouses on-farm).

Finlays bought by Sun European Partners VI, reverting brand to Flamingo Horticulture

Sun European Partners VI buy Afriflora-Sher, adding Ethiopian rose farming and Continental Europe sales platform to the portfolio; Flamingo Flowers starts supplying Direct-to-Consumer brands and becomes the leading fulfilment house for home delivery flowers; Flamingo Group International Limited formed; Dudutech divested to Bioline AgroSciences Ltd; Flamingo South Africa sold to Nuqi.

2021: FGI completes acquisition of Bigot Fleurs France, investing France’s leading, and three-generations old, vertically integrated supplier of fresh cust flowers to French Grocery and Direct-to-Consumer retailers.