The Nairobi Coffee Exchange (NCE) has recorded a l surge in traded volumes at Sale 14 of the current coffee season, underscoring growing demand for high-quality Kenyan coffee and improved returns for farmers.

At the weekly auction held at Wakulima House in Nairobi, a total of 40,918 bags, equivalent to 2.5 million kilogrammes of coffee, were traded, generating at least Sh2.45 billion in sales. 

This represents a 47 per cent increase compared to the 27,788 bags traded during Sale 13 last week.

According to the NCE auction report, premium coffee grades dominated the market, reflecting the sector’s increasing focus on quality. 

Grade AA coffee led the earnings, with 13,035 bags fetching Sh844.9 million, while grade AB coffee earned Sh1.1 billion, highlighting sustained buyer interest in top-grade beans.

The highest price at the auction stood at Sh63,210 per bag, achieved by 29 bags of grade AA coffee from Kiairia Factory, part of the Gititu Farmers’ Cooperative Society in Kiambu County. 

The strong pricing highlights the premium value attached to well-processed coffee from organised cooperative societies.

Nine licensed brokers participated in the auction, with Alliance Berries Ltd trading the largest volume of 14,651 bags, valued at Sh917 million. 

Other leading brokers included New KPCU PLC, Kirinyaga Slopes Coffee Brokerage, Kipkelion Broker Company Ltd, and Minnesota Coffee Marketers Ltd, all posting notable sales figures.

On the buyers’ side, market activity remained highly concentrated, with the top five dealers purchasing over 83 per cent of the total volume traded. 

Kenyacof Limited led the buyers, acquiring 10,510 bags worth Sh680 million, followed by Taylor Winch (Coffee) Limited, Ibero Kenya Ltd, C. Dormans SEZ Ltd, and Sasini (K) Limited.

Speaking after the auction, NCE Chief Executive Officer Lisper Ndungu attributed the strong performance to the growing adoption of quality-driven production practices by cooperative societies, which continue to attract international buyers.

She also welcomed the rise in coffee volumes, commending brokers for mobilising increased quantities to the exchange, an effort she said has translated into better prices and improved incomes for farmers.

Source: Kenya News Agency
Image Credit: The Perfect Grind