Nairobi Coffee Exchange Auction Nets Sh554 Million for Growers

In Summary

• Nairobi Coffee Exchange (NCE) Sale 35 on August 12, 2025, traded 10,099 bags (627,415 kg) of coffee for KSh 554 million (USD 4,294,775.94).
• Average price per 50kg bag was USD 342.26 (KSh 44,204), or KSh 136/kg of cherry.
• Top price of USD 419/bag paid for 20 bags of AA grade, including 8 from Muisini FCS, Machakos.
• Grade AA averaged USD 383.79/bag; lower grades like UG3 averaged USD 197/bag.
• Challenges include price volatility and need for quality enhancement.
• Auction reflects robust demand and supports 243,419 bags sold since October 2024.

The Nairobi Coffee Exchange (NCE) conducted its Sale 35 on August 12, 2025, at Wakulima House, Nairobi, generating KSh 554 million (USD 4,294,775.94) from the trade of 10,099 bags of coffee weighing 627,415 kilograms.

The auction saw strong price performance, with an overall average of USD 342.26 per 50kg bag (approximately KSh 44,204, or KSh 136/kg of cherry), reflecting competitive market conditions for Kenyan coffee growers and estates.

The highest price of USD 419 per 50kg bag was paid for 20 bags of AA grade coffee, including 8 bags from Muisini Farmers’ Cooperative Society (FCS) in Machakos County, code XBE 09F2.

Grade AA led with an average of USD 383.79 per bag, while lower grades like UG3 averaged USD 197.

Among the 12 participating brokers, Alliance Berries Ltd traded the highest volume (2,258 bags, KSh 128.3 million), followed by Kirinyaga Slopes (2,296 bags, KSh 125 million). C. Dormans Ltd topped buyers, purchasing 2,271 bags for KSh 132 million.

The auction underscores robust demand for Kenyan coffee, with 931 bags of AA grade fetching KSh 60.1 million and 3,935 bags of AB grade netting KSh 223 million.

However, farmers face challenges like price volatility and the need to enhance coffee quality to sustain high prices. Farmer John Mwangi from Nyeri noted, “We need more training to produce premium grades consistently.”

The NCE has seen strong performance, with 243,419 bags sold for KSh 11.9 billion between October 2024 and January 2025, signaling sector recovery.

The government and NCE are urged to continue supporting quality improvement and market access to maintain Kenya’s reputation in global markets, building on initiatives like direct tea sales and regional cooperation with Zambia.