Kenyan specialty coffee has fetched up to USD 120 per kilogram at the African Coffee Trade Fair (ACT) 2026, marking the highest-ever sales recorded in the event’s history.
The landmark direct auction, held Thursday evening, connected farmers to international buyers through a fully digital bidding process, signaling a transformative shift in how Kenyan coffee reaches global markets.
The event brought together producers and buyers from Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and the Americas, featuring over 300 samples. Only 22 top-scoring lots graded above 85 points were selected for the auction, ensuring that only the finest quality beans went under the virtual hammer.
Organisers say the initiative, launched three years ago, is changing the marketing landscape for Kenyan coffee by prioritizing quality, sustainability, and direct trade relationships over traditional commodity channels.
From blending to branding
Luka Rotich, a manager at Jabali Coffee Company and licensed exporter at the Nairobi Coffee Exchange, explained that the platform was created to address a long-standing problem: Kenyan coffee losing its identity in international markets.
The price trajectory since the auction’s inception tells a compelling story. From USD 35 per kilogram in 2024, prices climbed to USD 60 in 2025 before reaching the historic USD 120 recorded this year. That represents a more than threefold increase over just two auction cycles.
Farmers reap rewards of direct access
For growers, the platform is already delivering tangible returns. Josephine Ndikwe of Kiguta Estate in Nyeri County, a family farm with over six decades of coffee production, said participation in the auction offers better pricing and international exposure. Her farm’s fermented micro-lot sold for USD 33.50 per kilogram.
“Kenya is renowned around the world for producing very high-quality coffee, and we have been able to actually produce very good coffee. This auction is helping and giving farmers a platform whereby bidders around the world can experience the top 30 coffees in Kenya,” Ms. Ndikwe said.
Second-generation farmer Martin Mwangi Muriuki from Gacha Coffee Estates in Kirinyaga County reported strong global demand for his coffee, with one of his lots also reaching the top price of USD 120 per kilogram.
He noted that the anonymous, quality-based bidding system marks a significant departure from traditional trading models where farmers often had little price visibility or bargaining power.
Quality-driven model gains traction
Industry players say growing demand for specialty coffee, driven by urban consumers and specialty cafés worldwide, presents a major opportunity for Kenya. Farmers are increasingly adopting innovative processing methods and tailoring their production to meet specific global taste preferences.
The success of the ACT auction points to a broader shift in the sector, one that could give Kenyan farmers greater control over pricing, higher earnings per tree, and stronger positioning in premium global markets.
The government has been aggressively revitalizing the coffee sector, aiming to boost production from two kilograms to more than five kilograms per tree, with a target of 150,000 metric tons.
For now, the record prices achieved at this year’s ACT auction send a clear signal to farmers that quality, transparency, and direct market access can translate into unprecedented returns.
