Farmers earned $15.8 million (Sh2 billion) at this week’s Nairobi Coffee Exchange (NCE) auction, with prices rising by four per cent to $383 (Sh49,483.60) per 50 kg bag.

According to a NCE market report, the surge was driven by increased quantities of quality coffee and high demand from international buyers. Some 33,673 bags were traded, up two per cent from 32,801 bags the previous week. The average price per bag rose from $368 (Sh47,545.60) in the last session, reflecting $7.7 (Sh1,216) per kilogramme of clean coffee or Sh152 per kilogramme  of cherry. Farmers received Sh122 per kilogram, about 80 per cent of the trading floor price.

“A total of 33,673 bags (50 kg each) of coffee were traded, representing a two per cent increase from the 32,801 bags traded in Sale 17 the previous week,” states the report.

The highest price recorded was $459 (Sh59,302.80) per 50 kg bag—a three per cent increase from $446 (Sh57,623.20) in the previous auction. This top price was achieved by 27 bags (1,650 kg) of Grade AA coffee from Mutuya Factory under Gititu Farmers’ Cooperative Society in Kiambu County.

Promising market

This marked a significant improvement from $392 (Sh50,646) last season, signaling promising market conditions.

“This is a remarkable jump from last season’s peak and shows strong international demand for quality Kenyan coffee,” noted Henry Kinyua, a coffee value chain expert.

The auction saw 39 per cent (13,033 bags) of the total volume confirmed for sale, while 36 per cent (12,101 bags) fetched $400 (Sh51,680) or more per 50 kg bag. Notably, 71 per cent (23,839 bags) of the traded volume comprised Grade AA and AB, reflecting the high demand for premium beans.

With 13 brokerage firms and 17 buyers participating, the auction highlights the growing appeal of Kenyan coffee in the international market, boosting farmer incomes and reinforcing the country’s status as a global coffee powerhouse.