The Nairobi Coffee Exchange (NCE) held Sale 41 on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, trading a total of 14,386 bags weighing 891,932 kilograms. The auction generated USD 6,581,315, equivalent to approximately KSh 849 million. This translated to an average price of USD 369 per 50-kg bag, or about USD 7.40 per kilogram, which is roughly KSh 146 per kilogram of cherry.
The average price represented a 14% decline compared to the previous Sale 40, which averaged USD 430 per bag. Despite the dip, premium grades such as AA maintained strong performance, while lower grades like UG attracted lower bids. The highest recorded price during the auction was USD 529 per 50-kg bag.
Broker Participation
Alliance Berries Limited dominated the market, moving 4,463 bags (276,221 kg) at an average of USD 387 per bag. Other notable participants included:
- Kirinyaga Slopes Coffee Brokerage Co. Ltd – 1,850 bags at USD 368 per bag.
- New Kenya Planters Co-operative Union PLC – 1,752 bags at USD 368 per bag.
- Minnesota Coffee Marketers Ltd – 1,324 bags at USD 359 per bag.
- KCCE Marketing Agency Ltd – 1,209 bags at USD 366 per bag.
- Kipkelion Brokerage Co. Ltd – 1,030 bags at USD 359 per bag.
- Meru County Coffee Marketing Agency Ltd – 1,007 bags at USD 375 per bag.
- Coffee Estates Bourgeoisie Brokers Ltd – 781 bags at USD 337 per bag.
- United Eastern Kenya Coffee Marketing Co. Ltd – 544 bags at USD 359 per bag.
- Kinya Coffee Marketing Agency Ltd – 254 bags at USD 329 per bag.
- Baringo Kawa Brokerage Co. Ltd – 172 bags at USD 291 per bag.
Leading Buyers
Five major dealers accounted for 80% of all coffee purchased:
- Kenyacof Ltd – 3,126 bags (20.5% of total value).
- Ibero Kenya Ltd – 3,002 bags (19.2%).
- C. Dormans SEZ Ltd – 2,494 bags (18.6%).
- Taylor Winch Coffee Ltd – 1,874 bags (13.4%).
- Diamond Coffee Company Ltd – 977 bags (7.6%).
Premium Cooperatives
Eight farmer cooperatives secured prices above USD 500 per bag for their AA-grade coffee. Gachuiro from Nyeri County led the pack, fetching the highest auction price of USD 529 for 19 bags and USD 504 for an additional 5 bags. Other strong performers included Kiama FCS (USD 522), Ichuga (USD 512), Gicherori (USD 501), Rugeju (USD 501), Mukuyuni FCS (USD 501), and Wahundura (USD 500).
These results highlight the resilience of Kenya’s specialty coffee sector, where quality lots continue to attract premium prices despite broader market fluctuations.
