(Nairobi, Kenya) – The Nairobi Coffee Exchange recorded strong trading activity this week after 18,089 bags of coffee weighing 1.115 million kilogrammes were sold for KES 994 million during Sale 34, reflecting sustained demand for Kenyan coffee in the international market.
The auction posted an average price of KES 44,503 per 50 kilogramme bag, with premium grades continuing to command the highest returns as buyers competed for quality produce from leading coffee growing regions. The total sale value equals approximately $6.4 million or £5 million, while the average price per bag translates to roughly $286 or £225.
Grade AA coffee remained the top performer, with 1,738 bags sold for KES 107.8 million, while 7,761 bags of grade AB fetched KES 461.1 million, accounting for the largest share of the day’s earnings. The grade AA sales equal about $693,000 or £546,000, while grade AB earnings translate to roughly $2.96 million or £2.33 million.
Ngugu-ini Factory in Kirinyaga County recorded the highest price of the auction after its grade AA coffee sold at KES 53,041 per 50 kilogramme bag. That price equals approximately $341 or £269 per bag.
Muisuni Farmers’ Co-operative Society from Machakos County emerged second after its coffee fetched KES 52,912 per bag, demonstrating that well managed coffee from the lower eastern growing belt can compete with traditional high altitude producing areas. The price translates to roughly $340 or £268 per bag.
Kiriaini Factory in Kirinyaga County secured the third best price after its coffee sold at KES 52,653 per bag, equivalent to about $338 or £267.
Fifteen licensed marketing agents presented coffee for sale during the auction, with New Kenya Planters Co-operative Union handling the largest volume.
New KPCU traded 4,907 bags weighing 300,835 kilogrammes valued at KES 267.9 million, reaffirming its position as one of the country’s leading coffee marketing agents. That value equals roughly $1.72 million or £1.36 million.
Alliance Berries Limited followed closely after selling 4,000 bags weighing 247,966 kilogrammes for KES 233.2 million, largely driven by quality coffee from Nyeri, Kirinyaga and Murang’a counties. The sales translate to approximately $1.5 million or £1.18 million.
Coffee Estates Bourgeoisie Brokers marketed 2,140 bags worth KES 106 million, while Kirinyaga Slopes Coffee Brokerage sold 1,726 bags valued at KES 94.3 million. Those figures equal about $681,000 or £537,000 and $606,000 or £478,000 respectively.
Meru County Coffee Marketing Agency completed the top five marketers after trading 1,288 bags that realised KES 75.9 million, equivalent to roughly $488,000 or £385,000.
On the buying side, C. Dorman SEZ Limited dominated the auction, purchasing coffee worth KES 412.5 million. The company acquired 425,021 kilogrammes, representing about 38 percent of the volume offered and approximately 42 percent of the total value traded. The purchase value equals around $2.65 million or £2.09 million.
Ibero Kenya Limited was the second largest buyer after purchasing 3,790 bags valued at KES 208.5 million, while Kenyacof Limited acquired 2,107 bags worth KES 112.1 million. Those values translate to approximately $1.34 million or £1.06 million and $720,000 or £568,000 respectively.
Louis Dreyfus Company also featured among the leading buyers after purchasing 1,039 bags valued at KES 52.5 million, equivalent to about $337,000 or £266,000.
The weekly Nairobi Coffee Exchange auction remains the country’s principal coffee marketing platform, bringing together licensed marketing agents and international buyers through a transparent price discovery system.
Coffee remains one of Kenya’s leading foreign exchange earners, with prices at the exchange largely determined by bean quality, cup profile, global demand and prevailing international market conditions.
The strong performance recorded during Sale 34 is expected to boost farmers’ earnings, particularly those who delivered high quality coffee, as stakeholders continue to encourage improved husbandry practices and quality processing to maximise returns from the crop.
| Item | KES | USD | GBP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total auction value (Sale 34) | KES 994 million | $6.4 million | £5 million |
| Average price per 50kg bag | KES 44,503 | $286 | £225 |
| Grade AA sales (1,738 bags) | KES 107.8 million | $693,000 | £546,000 |
| Grade AB sales (7,761 bags) | KES 461.1 million | $2.96 million | £2.33 million |
| Ngugu-ini Factory top price (per bag) | KES 53,041 | $341 | £269 |
| Muisuni Farmers second price (per bag) | KES 52,912 | $340 | £268 |
| Kiriaini Factory third price (per bag) | KES 52,653 | $338 | £267 |
| New KPCU sales (4,907 bags) | KES 267.9 million | $1.72 million | £1.36 million |
| Alliance Berries sales (4,000 bags) | KES 233.2 million | $1.5 million | £1.18 million |
| Coffee Estates Bourgeoisie (2,140 bags) | KES 106 million | $681,000 | £537,000 |
| Kirinyaga Slopes (1,726 bags) | KES 94.3 million | $606,000 | £478,000 |
| Meru County Marketing (1,288 bags) | KES 75.9 million | $488,000 | £385,000 |
| C. Dorman purchases | KES 412.5 million | $2.65 million | £2.09 million |
| Ibero Kenya purchases (3,790 bags) | KES 208.5 million | $1.34 million | £1.06 million |
| Kenyacof purchases (2,107 bags) | KES 112.1 million | $720,000 | £568,000 |
| Louis Dreyfus purchases (1,039 bags) | KES 52.5 million | $337,000 | £266,000 |
| Total volume sold | 1,115,000 kg | – | – |
| Total bags sold | 18,089 | – | – |