Kenya coffee auction earnings surge to US$14.5M as higher volumes, premium grades boost prices
Strong demand and higher-quality offerings lifted weekly earnings at the Nairobi Coffee Exchange, reinforcing Kenya’s positive coffee market momentum.
KENYA – Kenya has recorded a sharp increase in weekly coffee earnings after sales at the Nairobi Coffee Exchange (NCE) reached Kes 1.87 billion (US$14.5M), up from Kes 1.4 billion paid out in the previous week.
The gains followed the auction of 30,406 bags, reflecting improved volumes and stronger demand for higher-quality grades.
According to NCE data, brokers offered 11,100 bags of grade AA coffee, which generated Kes 732.6 million (US$5.68M). This was followed by 13,402 bags of grade AB, fetching Kes 830.8 million (US$6.44M), while 1,904 bags of grade C earned Kes 109.9 million (US$852.27K). The exchange indicated that the availability of more premium grades supported higher overall earnings.
In terms of broker performance, Alliance Berries recorded the highest volume, auctioning 11,709 bags valued at Kes 760.8 million (US$5.9M). Kirinyaga Slopes followed with 2,694 bags sold for Kes 166.8 million (US$1.29M), while New KPCU marketed 3,306 bags worth Kes 204.6 million (US$1.59M). Other notable participants included CEBBA, which sold 1,987 bags for Kes 112.2 million (US$870.10K), and KCCE, which auctioned 1,462 bags valued at Kes 89.8 million (US$695.77K).
Kigumo Member of Parliament Joseph Munyoro said coffee factories in Murang’a County, including Irati, Marumi and Irigu, continue to rely on the auction system to market their produce.
He said farmers are being encouraged to invest in quality production to meet both domestic and international market requirements.
NCE Chief Executive Officer Lisper Ndung’u said the latest auction featured more high-quality coffee compared to the previous week, responding to buyer demand. She noted that Alliance Berries offered the largest share of grade AA coffee at 5,300 bags, followed by Kipkelion with 1,067 bags, Kirinyaga Slopes with 1,034 bags, and New KPCU with 1,109 bags.
Ndung’u added that in the prior auction, 7,984 bags of grade AA earned Kes 539.3 million, while 9,282 bags of grade AB generated Kes 592.9 million (US$4.59M), highlighting the week-on-week improvement.
Value chain expert Peter Karomo welcomed the stronger market performance, urging farmers to continue using the auction platform as a direct and transparent marketing channel. He attributed recent demand to reduced supply from South America after frost affected production.
The exchange reported participation from 16 local and international buyers, led by Ibero Kenya, C. Dormans, Taylor Winch, Sasini and Kenyacof.
From January to September 2025, Kenya’s average coffee price reached Kes 904.42 (US$7.01) per kilogram, the highest on record.
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