Coffee volumes drop at Nairobi Auction as Kirinyaga farmers celebrate record payouts
Lower volumes traded at the Nairobi Coffee Exchange contrast with rising farmer earnings in Kirinyaga County for the 2024/25 season.
KENYA – The Nairobi Coffee Exchange (NCE) recorded a significant drop in volumes traded during the weekly auction held on Tuesday, with coffee sales fetching KES 684 million (US$5.27M).
The auction, conducted at Wakulima House in Nairobi and marked as Sale 26 of the 2024/25 coffee year, saw the trading of 14,489 bags of coffee weighing 892,863 kilograms. This represents a 31.1 percent decline from the previous week’s sale, where 21,305 bags were auctioned.
Three main grade categories were featured in the auction: the main coffee grade, which contributed 51.09 percent of the total value; miscellaneous coffee, which accounted for 10.34 percent; and unwashed coffee, which made up 38.57 percent.
Grade AA emerged as the most valuable, commanding an average price of KES 48,496 (US$374.05) per bag. Grade AB followed with an average price of KES 46,968 (US$362.27), while Grade T recorded the lowest minimum price at KES 19,774 (US$152.52).
According to NCE CEO Lisper Ndung’u, the current decline in auction volumes is attributed to the end of the main coffee harvesting season, which is expected to conclude next month.
She noted that the highest auction prices were recorded between October and February, the peak of the main crop season. Ndung’u encouraged farmers to maintain the quality of their produce to attract international buyers and sustain competitive pricing at the auctions.
Record coffee earnings
Meanwhile, in Kirinyaga County, coffee farmers are celebrating historic cherry payouts for the 2024/25 season.
Baragwi Coffee Factory Society, located in Gichugu and operating 12 wet mills, reported average payouts of KES 133 (US$1.03) per kilogramme.
The highest-paying mill, Gachami Wet Mill, offered KES 145.10 (US$1.12) per kilogramme, while the lowest, Rwambiti Wet Mill, paid KES 118.80 (US$0.92) per kilogramme.
Factory manager Cyrus Chomba attributed the record earnings to the dedication of farmers and the application of best agricultural practices.
He highlighted the importance of regular farmer training, timely provision of fertilisers, and the installation of solar dryers, which enabled earlier coffee delivery to millers.
Chomba commended the farmers for their continued efforts and urged them to maintain high standards in both quality and quantity to continue benefiting from favourable market conditions and premium payouts in upcoming seasons.
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