Coffee Earnings Drop to KSh870 Million as Auction Volumes Decline

Coffee farmers earned approximately KSh870 million at the Nairobi Coffee Exchange (NCE) after 18,338 bags weighing 1,131,513 kilogrammes were traded during the latest auction, highlighting continued demand for Kenyan coffee despite a decline in sales compared with the previous week.

The auction, held on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, generated lower returns than the previous sale, which raised approximately KSh1.01 billion from 21,636 bags weighing 1,333,429 kilograms.

According to the exchange's latest market report, the overall average price stood at USD295.90, equivalent to approximately KSh38,449 per 50-kilogramme bag. Individual prices ranged from USD48 (KSh6,236) to USD387 (KSh50,259), reflecting differences in coffee quality and grade.

Grade AB recorded the highest trading volume, with 8,268 bags sold at an average price of USD319.07 (KSh41,437) per bag. Grade AA, however, commanded the highest average price of USD334.28 (KSh43,412), with 3,860 bags traded.

Among marketing agents, Alliance Berries Limited handled the largest volume, selling 3,267 bags weighing 202,482 kilogrammes at an average price of USD292.79 per bag.

Mt Elgon Coffee Marketing Agency followed with 2,536 bags, while New Kenya Planters Co-operative Union (New KPCU) marketed 2,049 bags valued at approximately KSh82.73 million.

On the buying side, Ibero Kenya emerged as the leading purchaser with 3,773 bags, followed by Kenyacof Limited, which bought 3,554 bags. Louis Dreyfus Company purchased 2,785 bags, while C. Dorman SEZ Ltd acquired 2,019 bags.

The highest individual price recorded during the auction was USD387, equivalent to approximately KSh50,259 for a 50-kilogram bag.

NCE Chief Executive Officer Lisper Ndung’u said buyers were increasingly focusing on quality, with many visiting farmers through their respective factories to assess coffee before purchasing. Coffee Board of Kenya Chairman Henry Kinyua urged farmers to increase production and expand their coffee holdings to improve earnings.

The latest results underline the importance of quality improvement and increased production in strengthening farmers' returns and maintaining the competitiveness of Kenyan coffee in local and international markets.

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