The coffee market in Kenya for Sale 16 of the 2024/2025 season took place on January 28, 2025, at the Nairobi Coffee Exchange, with trading also available through online platforms. The total volume of coffee traded during this sale amounted to 28,971 bags (50 kg each), marking a 4% increase from the 27,864 bags traded in the previous sale. Despite the rise in volume, the average price for the coffee slightly dropped from $348 per 50 kg bag in Sale 15 to $340 per 50 kg bag in Sale 16. This equates to $6.8 per kilogram of clean coffee or Kshs 134 per kilogram of cherry, with approximately Kshs 107 (or 80%) going directly to the farmers.
The highest price achieved during Sale 16 was $444 per 50 kg bag, a 4% increase from the $427 per 50 kg bag recorded in the previous sale. This premium price was secured by the Gachatha wet mill, part of the Gachatha Farmers’ Cooperative Society in Nyeri County. This cooperative has a strong history of commanding high prices for their coffee, with their highest price last season reaching $453 per 50 kg bag. The continued success of this cooperative in securing top prices will be closely monitored in upcoming sales.
The total value of coffee traded in Sale 16 was $12,046,657.56, which is approximately Kshs 1.6 billion. Of the total volume traded, 4,791 bags (17% of the traded volume) were confirmed by the close of business. A small portion of the coffee, 113 bags (0.04% of the total volume), sold for $400 or more, reflecting a premium pricing segment in the market. Premium grades, such as Grade AA and AB, made up a substantial portion of the trade, accounting for 22,608 bags, or 78% of the total volume traded.
The Nairobi Coffee Exchange saw strong participation from several brokers, with the top five being Alliance Berries, Kirinyaga Slopes, New KPCU, KCCE-MA, and Kipkelion. Other brokers included Minnesota Marketers, CEBBA, Bungoma Union, United Eastern Coffee Marketing Company, Kinya Coffee, Kiambu Coffee, and Muranga County Coffee Dealer (MCCD). In terms of buyers, C. Dormans emerged as the dominant buyer, purchasing all of the coffee traded during Sale 16.
The coffee market continues to demonstrate its potential, with increased volumes and consistent demand for high-quality beans. The Gachatha Farmers’ Cooperative Society’s performance in securing top prices highlights the ongoing value of premium coffee grades in the market. As the season progresses, the focus will be on maintaining the supply of high-quality coffee and ensuring that farmers receive fair compensation for their efforts. The Nairobi Coffee Exchange will release the Final Transaction Listing at the end of the week, providing further details on the trading factories and offering a complete overview of the sale’s outcomes.
