Kenya’s coffee exports surge 12% in 2024 as Africa pushes for value addition
KENYA – Kenya’s coffee exports increased by 12% in 2024, reaching 53,519 tonnes, up from 47,861 tonnes in 2023.
This growth was driven by expanded shipments to key destination markets, according to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS).
The country earned Kes 38.4 billion (US$296.8 million) from coffee exports in 2024, compared to US$251 million in the previous year. The bulk of shipments occurred in the second and third quarters, totaling 15,903 tonnes and 17,017 tonnes, respectively.
Kenya has implemented a series of reforms aimed at doubling coffee production within the next four years. These include the introduction of prompt payments to farmers, subsidized fertilizer, and affordable loans through a US$27.1 million revolving fund.
Coffee remains a crucial foreign exchange earner for Kenya, alongside tea and horticulture.
To further enhance production, the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation (KALRO) launched a national coffee planting campaign, targeting an increase in coffee seed production from 5,000 kg to 15,000 kg by 2027/28.
KALRO Deputy Director-Crop, Dr. Felister Makini, highlighted coffee’s role as a key economic pillar, ranking fifth in foreign exchange earnings after diaspora remittances, tea, horticulture, and tourism.
In addition to boosting output, Kenya is actively seeking new markets in Arab and Asian countries to diversify its export destinations beyond Europe and North America.
In February, the country hosted a delegation of Asian buyers during the Africa Coffee Trade Fair 2025. The event attracted over 50 coffee importers from China and South Korea, engaging in trade discussions with Kenyan producers.
This initiative aims to position Kenyan coffee as a premium product in Asia’s growing specialty coffee sector.
African coffee making mark in the global scene
Africa’s coffee exports have been gaining global recognition. Ethiopia recently reported a record-breaking performance in its coffee trade, surpassing US$1 billion in revenue within the first seven months of the 2024/25 fiscal year.
The initial export target was set at 156,190.21 tonnes, with an estimated revenue of US$805.56 million.
However, Ethiopia significantly exceeded expectations, exporting 223,046.04 tonnes—151% of the planned volume—resulting in US$1.011 billion in revenue, achieving 127% of its financial target.
Push for value addition
As African coffee exports grow, industry leaders are calling for increased value addition to enhance economic benefits. During the 3rd G25 African Coffee Summit in Dar es Salaam, leaders emphasized the need to move beyond raw bean exports.
Tanzania’s Minister for Agriculture, Hussein Bashe, urged African nations to integrate coffee into their cultures and daily consumption habits, citing Ethiopia as an example.
“It’s alarming that while Africa exports coffee worth $3 billion, it imports coffee products valued at US$50 billion. We must set ambitious targets to increase our production to at least 20% of global output by 2030,” Bashe stated.
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