Farmers earn Sh1b from coffee

A coffee farmer sorts out coffee berries at Dedan Kimathi University of Science and Technology in Nyeri. [Kibata Kihu, Standard]

The Nairobi Coffee Exchange (NCE) fetched Sh1 billion from the sale of 26,449 bags of coffee sourced from 1,081 cooperative societies and estates in this week’s auction.

In the sale, three leading marketing agents, Alliance Berries Ltd, Kirinyaga Slopes, and New Kenya Planters Cooperative Union (NKPCU)  delivered 19,656 bags of coffee at the auction market that attracted 19 local and international buyers.

In the sale, the farmers earned better returns as compared to the previous where 19,804 bags were sold at Sh802 million. Konyu factory in Kirinyaga with 43 bags of AA achieved the best price with a bag selling at Sh60,970 through the Kirinyaga Slopes. At Guama and Gaturiri coffee factories, Alliance Berries sold 141 bags of AA and 44 44 bags of AA respectively at Sh56,548 and registered the best prices at the auction.  

The Karatina coffee factory through Alliance Berries Limited sold another consignment of 133 bags of AA each at Sh60,702. NCE acting CEO Lipser Ndung’u said the best prices in the market for the four factories were offered by  C- Dorman, and Diamond Coffee. “Other factories whose coffee fetched above $400 per bag are Ndaroini, Kagumo, Iyego, and Mukengeria,” she said.