The Nairobi Coffee Exchange held Sale 25 on April 2, 2025, where a total of 21,846 bags of coffee, weighing 1,341,791 kg, were traded for USD 8,598,042.40 (approximately Ksh 1 billion).
The average price for the auction stood at USD 320 per 50 kg, translating to USD 6.40 per kg of clean coffee. This price equates to Kshs 127 per kg of cherry gross or Kshs 102 net to the farmer.
Regarding coffee grades, unwashed coffee (Mbuni) and miscellaneous grades comprised 37% and 12% of total sales, respectively. The MH (Mbuni Heavy) grade recorded the highest volume traded, with 7,257 bags (437,775 kg), representing 29.04% of total sales value at USD 2,497,510.50.
This suggests that most high-quality coffee from key regions has been sold, leading to an increase in the sale of lower-grade coffee. Main Coffee Grades accounted for only 51% of total sales. Among these, the AA grade fetched the highest average price at USD 398 per 50 kg, followed by PB at USD 387 and E at USD 385.
The highest auction price was USD 443 per 50 kg for lot #6076, consisting of 16 bags of Grade AA from the GACHUIRO factory, which is part of the KIAMA Farmers Cooperative in Nyeri County. Among estate coffees, the top price was USD 440 per 50 kg for Lot #5714 from GICHANGI ESTATE in Kirinyaga County. This lot, consisting of 14 bags weighing 885 kg, was purchased by Mbature Traders Limited.
Among the dealers, Ibero Kenya Ltd emerged as the leading buyer, acquiring 11,140 bags (685,461 kg) valued at USD 4,427,151.46. Louis Dreyfus Company followed, purchasing 4,834 bags (295,919 kg) worth USD 1,681,359.26. C. Dorman Ltd was also a key participant, securing 2,079 bags (125,790 kg) for USD 939,861.56.
Other active dealers included Kenyacof Limited, which bought 601 bags, Sondhi Trading Co. Ltd with 494 bags, and Star Coffee Ltd with 343 bags, all of whom focused on premium grades. Smaller dealers such as Jotim Coffee (64 bags), Rockbern Coffee Group Ltd (46 bags), and Gracy Solutions Limited (5 bags) managed to secure select high-value lots to cater to their market needs.
Kirinyaga Slopes Coffee Brokerage Company Ltd facilitated the largest volume, handling 8,319 bags (507,416 kg) valued at USD 3,105,512.14 (approximately Kshs 400 million). Alliance Berries Limited followed closely with 5,486 bags. Minnesota Coffee Marketers Limited achieved the highest average price per kg at USD 351.40.
Other brokers also had notable performances. Kipkelion Broker Company Ltd handled 789 bags at an average price of USD 294.05, while KCCE Marketing Agency Limited moved 1,432 bags at USD 324.95 per 50 kg. Murang’a County Coffee Dealers Co. Ltd marketed 401 bags at an average of USD 282.34, and Kiambu Coffee Marketing Limited achieved an average price of USD 298.74 for its 417 bags.
Approximately 8.5% of the total volume traded fetched prices of USD 400 or above per 50 kg, while around 54% of transactions had been confirmed by buyers at the time of reporting.
The Nairobi Coffee Exchange is expected to release the final transaction report for all confirmed lots by the end of today or tomorrow. Further details on this sale, as well as previous transactions, can be accessed online or through mobile applications providing coffee market updates.
