Kenya’s coffee farmers earned Ksh 41.6 billion from sales at the Nairobi Coffee Exchange (NCE) during the 2025/26 coffee year, a Ksh 6 billion rise from the Ksh 35.6 billion recorded in 2024/25. The increase came from the sale of 47 million kilogrammes of coffee across 770,034 bags, with prices remaining relatively firm throughout much of the season. NCE Chief Executive Officer Lisper Ndung’u highlighted that improved market demand and pricing drove the stronger performance, though final auction prices softened in September as the season concluded. By May, the exchange had already tallied Ksh 32.25 billion from 36.93 million kilogrammes, with an average price of Ksh 43,780 per 50-kilogramme bag. The final auction on September 29 saw 17,765 bags fetch Ksh 841.3 million, averaging Ksh 38,140 per bag, or Ksh 762 per kilogramme of clean coffee.
The 2025/26 season saw 18 brokers facilitate coffee sales, with Alliance Berries Limited leading as the top marketer, handling 222,329 bags (29% of total trade). New Kenya Planters’ Cooperative Union (New KPCU) followed with 137,284 bags (18%), collectively accounting for 61% of transactions. Other significant brokers included Kipkelion (58,356 bags), CEBBA (40,789 bags), and Minnesota (30,405 bags). County-level cooperative unions also contributed, with Meru marketing 21,786 bags worth Ksh 23.8 million, Mt Elgon selling 15,334 bags valued at Ksh 17.9 million, and Murang’a growers trading 12,476 bags for Ksh 13.3 million. These figures underscore the sector’s regional diversity and the critical role of intermediaries in connecting farmers to buyers.
The improved earnings align with broader industry efforts to boost production quality and market access. Kenya’s Arabica coffee, renowned for its quality, remains a key export, with the NCE serving as a vital platform for pricing and trade. National statistics show the average auction price rose to USD7.21 per kilogramme in 2025 from USD4.90 in 2024, despite a decline in total volume. Coffee Board of Kenya Chairman Henry Kinyua emphasized the need for farmers to maintain best practices to sustain premium pricing, as stakeholders prepare for the 2026/27 season. The NCE continues to publish market reports to enhance transparency, ensuring growers and traders remain informed about price trends and opportunities.
The 2025/26 season’s success highlights the resilience of Kenya’s coffee sector amid global market fluctuations. With improved returns and a focus on quality, farmers and industry players are optimistic about future growth. However, challenges such as production constraints and market volatility remain, requiring sustained investment in infrastructure and training. The NCE’s role in fostering transparency and equitable trade will be critical in maintaining the sector’s momentum as it transitions into the next coffee year.