The Nairobi Coffee Exchange (NCE) recorded vibrant trading during Sale 38 held on September 2, 2025, with significant gains in both volume and value.
A total of 14,319 bags of coffee were sold, weighing 885,991 kilograms, and earning $7,273,699 (KES 938 million). This represented a sharp 45% increase in earnings compared to Sale 37 the previous week, underlining growing demand for high-quality Kenyan coffee.
The average price rose to $410 per 50kg bag, equivalent to Ksh 163 per kilogram of cherry (gross). This was a 2% rise from the previous sale, signaling steady appreciation in the value of Kenyan coffee at the auction.
The highest price achieved during Sale 38 was $502 per 50kg bag, fetched by 8 bags of AA-grade coffee from KITHIMA Factory, under MITABONI Farmers Cooperative Society in Machakos County.
Several other factories also broke the $500 mark:
- 25 bags of AA-grade coffee from GACHUIRO Factory in Nyeri County at $501 per bag
- 10 bags from GAKUYU-INI Factory in Kirinyaga County at $500 per bag
- 3 bags from KIANJURI FCS in Meru County at $500 per bag
These premium prices reinforced the global recognition of Kenya’s AA-grade beans, known for their rich flavor profiles and high cup quality.
The market remained highly concentrated among five major dealers who dominated the auction:
- Ibero Kenya Ltd led with 4,245 bags worth $2.14 million
- Kenyacof Limited purchased 3,207 bags worth $1.59 million
- C.Dormans SEZ Ltd secured 2,834 bags valued at $1.50 million
- Taylor Winch (Coffee) Ltd acquired 1,568 bags for $802,009
- Mumbi Coffee Merchants Ltd bought 602 bags worth $318,284
Together, these five companies handled 12,456 bags, accounting for 87% of the total coffee traded during Sale 38.
The results highlighted both the resilience of Kenya’s coffee sector and the dominance of a few major exporters who continue to drive bulk trading at the exchange.
