By Benadeta Mwaura - Reporter
Kenya, 28 January 2026 - Kenya’s coffee sector recorded KSh 2.4 billion in earnings at the latest weekly auction held at the Nairobi Coffee Exchange (NCE), underscoring sustained demand for Kenyan coffee and upbeat market performance.
A total of 39,853 bags of coffee were sold, slightly below last week’s 40,918 bags, highlighting strong participation by brokers and buyers in a market that continues to signal solid prices for premium grades.
Of the coffee presented, grade AA and grade AB beans accounted for significant portions of the volumes offered, with 12,566 bags of AA and 18,596 bags of AB traded.
Among the brokers, Alliance Berries Limited led the market with 14,426 bags that fetched about Sh890.3 million, followed by Kirinyaga Slopes with 7,068 bags sold at roughly KSh 470.6 million.
NCE Chief Executive Officer Lisper Ndung’u attributed the robust earnings to high volumes delivered by coffee brokers and sustained prices, especially for certified coffees that continue to attract strong bids both locally and internationally.
She observed that the current market environment could support favourable pricing for the next two months, benefiting farmers and cooperatives alike.
In individual price highlights, Ichuga Factory based in Mathira achieved the highest per-bag price of KSh 64,500 for a small offering of 51 bags of grade AA marketed by Alliance Berries.
Other high-yielding factories included Gakuyu-ini and Wahundura, each commanding prices above Sh60,000 per bag for AA quality coffee, a key benchmark for premium Arabica exports.
On the buying side, a mix of local and international buyers dominated participation, with Ibero Kenya, Kenyacof, C. Dormans, Sasini, Taylor Winch, and Louis Dreyfus collectively purchasing over 83% of the total coffee offered.
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This level of buyer engagement reflects strong market confidence and keen interest from major industry players.
Kenya’s coffee auction performance comes amid a broader rally in coffee prices globally and regionally. Recent reports show that the country’s coffee export sector has been benefiting from higher prices and slightly increased volumes, with total export earnings rising significantly in recent years.
The weekly auction system remains central to Kenya’s coffee value chain, providing transparent price discovery and competitive bidding that helps farmers capture value closer to global price levels.
NCE’s weekly platform has been particularly vital in ensuring cooperative societies and smallholder producers access fair pricing and broad buyer participation.
With global demand for quality Arabica and specialty beans strong, Kenya’s coffee sector continues to lean on quality improvement, cooperative engagement, and auction performance to sustain growth and strengthen its position in international markets.
Analysts say that consistent high prices at the NCE could encourage expanded acreage and incentivise quality production, which is crucial as Kenya seeks to amplify both export value and farmer incomes.
