KENYA – Kenyan coffee yields from various cooperative societies and estates have continued to command impressive prices for the second consecutive week at the Nairobi Coffee Exchange (NCE).
During the latest auction, held on Tuesday, a total of 25,180 bags of coffee, sourced from over 1,000 cooperative societies, were traded, amounting to Kes1.015 billion (US$7.68M) in revenue.
This figure, although slightly lower than the previous week’s total of Kes1.058 billion (US$8M) from 26,449 bags of coffee, still reflects a robust market demand for Kenyan coffee. Notably, some 6,742 bags of grade AA coffee fetched Kes308.47 million (US$2.33M), while another 11,124 bags of grade AB earned the same amount.
Among the nine brokers participating in the auction, Alliance Berries Ltd emerged as the top performer, trading 9,027 bags of coffee valued at Kes308.47 million (US$2.33,), representing 36 percent of the total coffee sold. Kirinyaga Slopes Brokerage Company Ltd and New Kenya Planters Cooperative Union also made significant contributions, selling 5,384 bags and 5,209 bags, respectively.
Particular cooperative societies and estates showcased exceptional quality and achieved premium prices for their produce. Konyu factory, a part of Kabare farmers’ cooperative society in Kirinyaga, sold 96 bags of grade AA coffee through Alliance Berries Ltd at a remarkable price of Sh60,970 (US$461.49) per bag.
Similarly, Iyego factory of Murang’a County and Kiunyu factory of Kirinyaga fetched impressive prices for their grade AA coffee.
In total, 17 buyers participated in the auction, with Kenyacof Ltd emerging as the largest purchaser, acquiring 5,934 bags of coffee equivalent to 363.46 kilos at Kes244.99 million (US$1.85M). C. Dormans Ltd and Ibero Kenya Ltd were among the other significant buyers, acquiring 5,127 bags and 3,578 bags, respectively.
Lisper Ndung’u, the CEO of NCE, highlighted the growing demand for premier grades of Kenyan coffee and emphasized the importance of maintaining high-quality standards. She noted that 71 percent of the produce purchased at the auction consisted of grade AA and AB coffee, reflecting the market’s preference for top-quality beans.
Ms. Ndung’u urged farmers to continue producing high-quality coffee to attract both local and international buyers, emphasizing the crucial role of quality in driving market demand and ensuring favorable prices for coffee growers across Kenya.
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