Kenyan coffee farmers reap US$13.5M from direct export sales as premium specialty demand surges
Kenyan coffee farmers secured premium global prices through direct export sales, with specialty buyers paying significantly above auction market rates for traceable high-quality coffee.
KENYA – Kenyan coffee farmers and cooperatives recorded stronger earnings from direct coffee export sales in March 2026, highlighting rising international demand for premium and traceable Kenyan coffee outside the traditional auction system.
According to a report released by the Agriculture and Food Authority, growers, estates, cooperatives and exporters sold 1.70 million kilograms of clean coffee through direct sales arrangements, generating approximately Kes 1.75 billion (US$13.54M) during the month.
The report showed that direct export coffees fetched an average price of Kes 51,317 (US$397.19) per 50-kilogram bag, significantly higher than the average price of Kes 37,057 (US$286.82) recorded at the Nairobi Coffee Exchange auction during the same period.
The strong performance reflects growing global demand for Kenyan specialty coffee, with international buyers paying premium prices for quality, consistency and traceability.
According to the AFA’s Direct Sales Performance and Coffee Market Report for March 2026, some coffees attracted exceptionally high prices. NH grade coffee from Nandi County recorded the highest price at Kes 106,265 (US$822.48) per 50-kilogram bag.
The report indicated that direct relationships between growers and overseas buyers are increasingly providing better returns compared to relying solely on the auction system.
Under Kenya’s coffee marketing regulations, direct sales involve contractual agreements between growers or cooperatives and international buyers or local roasters. The agreements allow producers to target niche specialty coffee markets that value premium coffee qualities.
Top-quality grades continued to dominate the direct export market during the month. AB grade coffee accounted for the largest share, with more than 805,000 kilograms traded, representing nearly half of total export volumes. AA grade followed closely with over 662,000 kilograms sold.
Together, AA and AB grades accounted for more than 86 percent of all coffee traded through direct exports, underlining continued global demand for Kenya’s high-quality coffee beans.
Kirinyaga County remained the leading supplier in the direct export market, contributing more than 1.11 million kilograms, equivalent to 65 percent of total export volumes. Murang’a County ranked second with 356,172 kilograms, followed by Kiambu County.
Other counties participating in direct exports included Nyeri County, Embu County, Kisii County, Kericho County, Elgeyo Marakwet County and Trans Nzoia County.
Although Kirinyaga dominated export volumes, Trans Nzoia recorded the highest county average price at Kes 77,050 (US$596.36) per 50-kilogram bag, followed by Nandi and Elgeyo Marakwet.
On the international market, Switzerland emerged as the largest buyer of Kenyan coffee through direct sales, importing more than one million kilograms during the month, while United Kingdom imported over 581,000 kilograms.
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