Kenya’s coffee export earnings jump 17% in 2023/2024 season
Belgium emerged as the top buyer as Kenya expanded its export footprint to 60 countries during the 2023/2024 coffee year.
KENYA – Kenya recorded a 17% rise in coffee export earnings for the 2023/2024 coffee year, reaching KES 39.9 billion (US$308.6M), up from KES 34.1 billion (US$263.7M) in the previous period.
This growth was driven by expanded market access, improved export volumes, and the impact of ongoing reforms in the sector.
According to the Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA), Kenya exported 49.5 million kilograms of coffee to 60 countries, compared to 47,957 metric tonnes sold in the 2022/2023 coffee year.
The report, released by AFA Director Dr Bruno Linyiru, marks the first since the implementation of coffee sector reforms at the Nairobi Coffee Exchange (NCE) that began on August 15, 2023.
Belgium led the list of top international buyers, importing 8,275.79 metric tonnes worth KES 7.42 billion. The United States followed closely with 7,917.13 metric tonnes valued at KES 6.68 billion. Other significant markets included Germany, Korea, Sweden, Canada, the United Kingdom, Finland, Australia, and the Netherlands.
Domestically, 58 coffee buyers participated in the export market between October 1, 2023, and September 30, 2024.
C Dorman emerged as the top buyer, purchasing 9,048.38 metric tonnes, followed by Ibero Kenya (7,769.51 metric tonnes), Kenyacof (5,663.50), Taylor Winch (4,172.88), and Louis Dreyfus (4,144.27).
In terms of coffee brokerage, 14 agents traded 676,903 bags, totaling 41,616,589 kilograms. Leading brokers included Alliance Berries (198,084 bags), New KPCU (150,266 bags), and Kirinyaga Slopes (122,031 bags).
On milling, New KPCU processed 17,847.84 metric tonnes across three depots, while Thika Coffee Mills milled 1,931.90 metric tonnes and Kirinyaga handled 5,339.09 metric tonnes.
Production highlights showed Kiambu as the top producer with 9 million kilograms, followed by Kirinyaga (8.9 million), Nyeri (6.5 million), and Murang’a (5.01 million).
Emerging regions such as Kajiado (7,739.80 kg), Laikipia (9,872.42 kg), and Taita Taveta (9,007 kg) also contributed to the national output.
To boost productivity, Kenya plans to mobilize KES 25 billion (US$194.7M) in private capital under a new Coffee Investment Framework.
This initiative targets a threefold increase in coffee production, supplementing allocations of KES 500 million (US$3.9M) in the 2024/25 budget and KES 4 billion (US$31.2M) across 2025/26 for cherry funds and debt waivers.
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