By Benadeta Mwaura - Reporter
Kenya, 20 April 2026 - Kenya’s coffee sector has posted strong earnings in the first half of the current marketing season, with farmers and dealers collectively earning about KSh 24 billion ($186 million) from auction sales, reflecting improved volumes, better prices, and sustained demand in international markets.
Data from the Nairobi Coffee Exchange (NCE) shows that the earnings were realised over a six-month period, underlining a steady recovery in the country’s coffee value chain after years of volatility.
The performance has largely been driven by increased deliveries of high-grade coffee and stronger participation from both local and international buyers.
The auction system, which remains the backbone of Kenya’s coffee marketing structure, has continued to attract premium prices, particularly for top-quality grades such as AA and AB. These grades have consistently dominated the market, accounting for the bulk of both volume and value traded.
Recent auction reports indicate that weekly sales have been averaging between KSh 1.4 billion and KSh 2.5 billion, depending on volumes and quality presented, with some sessions recording higher returns due to increased supply and competitive bidding.
Industry players attribute the strong performance to improved quality control at the farm level, better processing techniques, and growing global demand for Kenyan coffee, which is widely regarded for its distinctive flavour profile.
At the same time, the market has seen increased participation from international dealers, with major buyers continuing to compete for premium lots.
This has helped push prices upward, particularly for cooperatives and estates producing high-quality beans.
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Despite the positive trajectory, stakeholders caution that the gains remain uneven across the sector.
While some farmers and cooperatives are benefiting from higher prices, others continue to grapple with challenges including high production costs, climate variability, and inefficiencies in the value chain.
The government and sector regulators have been pushing for reforms aimed at improving farmer earnings, including streamlining the marketing system and enhancing transparency at the auction.
These efforts are expected to further stabilise the sector and ensure that a larger share of the earnings reaches producers.
The latest figures reinforce the central role of coffee as a key foreign exchange earner for Kenya, with the sector continuing to support livelihoods across major producing regions such as Kirinyaga, Nyeri, Murang’a and Kiambu.
As global demand remains firm and quality improvements continue, the outlook for the remainder of the season remains cautiously optimistic, with stakeholders hoping that the upward trend in earnings will translate into sustained income growth for farmers.