The 2024/2025 coffee season’s Sale 20 took place on February 25th, 2025, at the Nairobi Coffee Exchange located on the second floor of Wakulima House along Haile Selassie Avenue. Coffee trading also occurred through online platforms, marking another key event in the market’s ongoing activity.
A total of 34,469 bags of coffee, each weighing 50 kilograms, were traded during Sale 20. This marked a 6% decline from the previous week’s trade in Sale 19, which saw 37,105 bags change hands. In terms of pricing, the average price per 50 kg bag fell by 7%, reaching USD 337, down from USD 362 in Sale 19. This price drop reflects a lower market price of $6.7 per kilogram of clean coffee. For farmers, the figures show a gross price of Kshs 134 per kilogram of cherry, with farmers receiving approximately Kshs 107 per kilogram, equating to about 80% of the trading floor price.
Sale 20 Key Highlights
- Trading Volumes: The total coffee traded amounted to 34,469 bags (2,107,980 kg), with an average price of USD 337 per 50 kg bag.
- Price Analysis: The average price per 50 kg bag, when converted, corresponds to Kshs 134 per kilogram of cherry, which translates to Kshs 107 per kilogram for the farmer, indicating that farmers are still receiving a substantial portion of the trading price.
- Market Value: The total value of coffee traded in Sale 20 reached USD 14,220,024, or approximately Ksh 1.8 billion, underlining the continued importance of coffee in Kenya’s agricultural economy.
- Premium Achievement: The GACHATHA Factory/Wet Mill from Nyeri County achieved the highest price in this sale, securing USD 446 for a 50 kg bag. This marks a slight increase over the USD 443 achieved in Sale 19. The cooperative’s coffee has consistently commanded high prices, with the highest price in Sale 16 reaching USD 453 for their coffee.
- Transaction Status: By the close of the day, 5,349 bags 16% of the total volume traded had been confirmed, reflecting a good portion of final transactions.
- Premium Pricing: In terms of premium pricing, 1,929 bags representing 3% of the total volume were sold for USD 400 or more per 50 kg bag. This indicates a continued demand for high-quality coffee from specific regions and producers.
- Grade Distribution: Coffee grades AA and AB accounted for 21,487 bags, or 62% of the total volume traded, underlining the preference for higher-quality beans in the market.
Broker Participation
Twelve brokers participated in the sale, with Alliance Berries leading the pack, followed closely by Kirinyaga Slopes, New KPCU, KCCE-MA, and Minnesota Marketers. Other brokers included CEBBA, Kipkelion, Muranga Union, Kiambu Coffee, Meru Union, Mt Elgon, and United Eastern Kenya, each of which contributed to the volumes offered for sale. The role of brokers in facilitating transactions and ensuring a smooth sale process remains critical in connecting farmers with buyers.
Buyer Activity
Ibero led a group of 25 buyers, collectively purchasing the entire volume of coffee available during Sale 20. This indicates a steady demand for Kenyan coffee and reflects the competitive nature of the market, with multiple buyers eager to secure high-quality lots from various factories and regions.
Outlook and Final Transaction Listing
The Nairobi Coffee Exchange will release a Final Transaction Listing by the end of the week, providing more detailed information about the trading factories and the distribution of the coffee traded. This will help market participants, including farmers and brokers, to better understand the performance of different regions and cooperatives.
For further details on previous sales and to access comprehensive data, market participants can use the Kilimo News App or visit the web version of the platform. The app and website offer access to historical trading data, helping farmers, buyers, and other stakeholders in the coffee supply chain make informed decisions for future sales.
Overall, Sale 20 reflects a market in transition, with slight declines in trading volume and prices, yet continued premium pricing for high-quality coffee and active broker and buyer participation signaling sustained demand for Kenyan coffee on the global market.
