Nairobi Coffee Exchange Sale No. 40: Premium Coffee Demand Surges—What It Means for Kenyan Farmers



Kenya’s coffee sector just delivered another compelling performance. Sale No. 40 saw a jump in both volume and prices, underscoring global appetite for our specialty beans. This momentum is a powerful reminder that quality, consistency, and collaboration are driving Kenyan coffee forward.  


Rising Volumes and Strengthened Prices


Kenya’s coffee community recorded significant gains in Sale No. 40:


- 14,726 bags sold, up from 12,762 in the previous session  

- Average price of USD 426.91 per bag, rising from USD 413.09  

- Equivalent to Ksh 1,105 per kg of clean coffee or Ksh 170 per kg of cherry  


These numbers translate into renewed income opportunities for farmers and cooperatives, setting the stage for strategic reinvestment in quality, processing infrastructure, and sustainable practices.  




Premium Grades Leading the Charge


Premium coffee remains the engine of our success. In Sale No. 40:


- 10,901 bags of Grades AA, AB, and C were traded  

- Premium grades accounted for 74 percent of total volume  

- The highest-priced lot fetched USD 538 for just 10 bags of Grade AA from Ruarai Factory (Ruthaka FCS, Nyeri County)  


When cooperatives prioritize consistency, invest in mill upgrades, and maintain rigorous sorting standards, the market rewards them. That premium uptick is tangible proof.  




Who’s Winning at the Auction?


Nine brokers competed for Kenya’s finest. Leading the pack:


1. Alliance Berries Ltd – 5,032 bags (4,089 premium, 81 percent)  

2. New KPCU PLC – 2,999 bags (2,537 premium, 85 percent)  

3. Kirinyaga Slopes Coffee Brokerage Co. Ltd – 1,367 bags (836 premium, 61 percent)  


These top brokers aren’t just moving volume—they’re curating portfolios of high-value lots that appeal to discerning roasters and specialty coffee buyers.  




What This Means for Smallholder Farmers


1. Quality Pays Off: Farmers who upgrade their cherry handling, adopt better fermentation techniques, and strengthen traceability capture higher returns.  

2. Collaboration Is Key: Aggregating cherry quality through cooperatives ensures consistent volumes and reinforces Kenya’s reputation for excellence.  

3. Reinvest to Scale: Increased auction earnings open doors to better agronomic training, fertilizer programs, and processing investments.  


By embedding these strategies into everyday operations, smallholder farmers can turn each auction into a springboard for sustainable growth.  




Call to Action


The figures from Sale No. 40 aren’t just statistics—they’re a roadmap. As industry stakeholders, we can:


- Double down on extension services that emphasize quality every step of the way  

- Strengthen partnerships between cooperatives and specialty roasters committed to premium sourcing  

- Leverage digital traceability tools to tell the story behind every bean  


Let’s unite to ensure that the momentum in Nairobi translates into lasting prosperity on the farm. I’d love to hear your thoughts on scaling Kenya’s specialty coffee success. How can we deepen collaboration and empower our farmers to capture even more value?  


Feel free to share your insights or connect directly if you’re driving initiatives in quality improvement, processing innovation, or market development.

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