Strong Demand Lifts Nairobi Coffee Auction as Farmers Earn Sh884 Million in Weekly Sale

Kenya’s coffee farmers and estate owners earned Sh884 million after strong international demand drove robust prices at the Nairobi Coffee Exchange (NCE) weekly auction, reinforcing the country’s reputation for premium-quality coffee in global markets.

The 33rd auction of the 2025/2026 coffee year saw 15,749 bags of clean coffee, weighing 972,266 kilogrammes, sold through the exchange. The auction recorded an average price of Sh45,419 per 50-kilogramme bag, equivalent to about Sh909 per kilogramme, reflecting continued buyer interest across Kenya’s major coffee grades.

AB grade coffee accounted for the largest share of the sale, with 6,174 bags generating Sh376.9 million. Another 1,762 bags of premium AA coffee earned Sh116.8 million, while 3,333 bags of grade C coffee fetched Sh188 million, demonstrating sustained demand for both high-end and commercial-grade beans.

The highest price at the auction reached Sh56,030 per 50-kilogramme bag. The top price was achieved by two AA coffee lots marketed by Alliance Berries Limited, sourced from Gatei Coffee Factory in Kiambu County and New Gatanga Farmers’ Cooperative Society in Murang’a County. The performance highlighted the premium buyers continue to place on well-processed coffee from cooperative factories.

Fourteen licensed marketing agents participated in the sale, with New Kenya Planters Cooperative Union PLC (New KPCU) handling the largest volume. The marketer sold 4,331 bags weighing 266,673 kilogrammes and realized Sh299.7 million.

Alliance Berries Limited ranked second after trading 2,771 bags valued at Sh168.4 million, while Kirinyaga Slopes Coffee Brokerage marketed 2,398 bags worth Sh133 million. Other notable participants included Coffee Estates Bourgeoisie Brokers, Meru County Coffee Marketing Agency and KCCE Marketing Agency, which also handled substantial volumes during the auction.

Competition among exporters remained strong, with 21 licensed coffee dealers purchasing coffee at the auction. C. Dormans SEZ Ltd emerged as the leading buyer after acquiring 3,924 bags valued at Sh242.2 million, accounting for approximately 27 per cent of the total value traded.

Kenyacof Limited followed with purchases worth Sh192.7 million, while Louis Dreyfus Company bought coffee valued at Sh122.8 million. Ibero Kenya Ltd and Sondhi Trading Limited also featured among the largest buyers.

The five leading exporters collectively purchased 12,547 bags, representing 80 per cent of the total volume traded and 82 per cent of the auction’s value. The figures underline the significant role played by established exporters in connecting Kenyan coffee to international markets.

The Nairobi Coffee Exchange remains the country’s principal marketplace for coffee sold through the auction system, bringing together licensed marketing agents and international buyers in a transparent price discovery process. Weekly auctions provide cooperative societies, estate owners and farmers with access to export markets, where prices are largely influenced by bean quality, cup profile, global demand and prevailing conditions in the international coffee trade.

Industry stakeholders say the continued strong auction performance offers positive signals for growers as Kenya seeks to increase coffee production and strengthen the sector through ongoing reforms, improved quality management and expanded access to premium global markets.