The Nairobi Coffee Exchange (NCE) has reported that the last auction of the 2025/2026 coffee year generated Sh841.3 million from the sale of 17,765 bags. This significant transaction marks the end of the current coffee year, with the new year set to begin on October 1, 2026. The auction saw various dealers participating, with New KPCU selling 3,918 bags, Alliance Berries with 3,806 bags, and Kipkelion with 1,579 bags.
In the latest auction, seven major dealers bought a total of 16,546 bags, accounting for 82 per cent of the total offer. The remaining 1,219 bags were shared among other buyers. The NCE reported that the farmers offered 2,468 bags of grade AA, 7,049 bags of grade AB, and 3,094 bags of grade C. The auction also saw 18 dealers participating, with Ibero Kenya leading the pack by purchasing 5,696 bags.
The NCE CEO, Lisper Ndung’u, has called on coffee stakeholders to focus on increasing quality coffee production to meet local and international demand. She noted that 26 percent of the offers were certified coffee. Ndung’u expressed optimism about the new coffee year, urging stakeholders to work together to improve the quality and quantity of coffee produced in Kenya.
The coffee market has seen a recent surge, with the previous auction fetching Sh994 million from the sale of 18,089 bags weighing a total of 1,115,430 kg. This represents a significant increase in the volume of coffee auctioned compared to the previous week. The average price per bag of 50 kilograms rose slightly to Sh44,462, up from Sh44,443 realised in the previous week’s sale.
As the new coffee year begins, Stanbic Bank has partnered with the Nairobi Coffee Exchange as the second Direct Settlement System (DSS) to facilitate payment. This move aims to streamline transactions and provide a more efficient payment process for coffee farmers. The Cooperative Bank of Kenya will also continue to operate alongside Stanbic Bank in facilitating payments.
The coffee sector in Kenya continues to play a vital role in the country’s economy, with many farmers relying on coffee as a primary source of income. The government and various stakeholders have been working to improve the sector, focusing on increasing production, quality, and access to international markets.
As Kenya’s coffee market continues to evolve, the participation of various dealers and the introduction of new payment systems are expected to enhance the efficiency and profitability of the sector. With the new coffee year underway, stakeholders will be closely monitoring the market to ensure that the momentum is maintained and that the sector continues to grow.
Key points
- Kenyan coffee farmers earned Sh841 million from the latest auction of 17,765 bags.
- The Nairobi Coffee Exchange has reported that seven major dealers bought 82 per cent of the total offer.
- The new coffee year begins on October 1, 2026, with Stanbic Bank partnering with the NCE as a Direct Settlement System.
