Kenya to open coffee auctions to global buyers to boost farmers' earnings, Kagwe says
According to Agriculture CS Mutahi Kagwe, Kenya's improved digital infrastructure now allows international buyers to participate in the coffee auctions.
Kenya will soon open its local coffee auctions to international players in an effort to ensure that farmers receive fair compensation for their produce, Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe has announced.
Kagwe announced this in Nyeri on Saturday, stating that the reform, backed by Cooperatives CS Wycliffe Oparanya, will ensure that the prices at which coffee is sold globally match what farmers are paid locally.
"It is unjust to exclude global buyers who are ready to offer better prices. By opening the market, we'll uplift the value chain and ensure our farmers benefit from their hard work," said Kagwe.
According to the Agriculture CS, Kenya's improved digital infrastructure now allows international buyers to participate in the coffee auctions.
"Coffee auctions can no longer be the preserve of a few individuals. They must now be open to the entire international market," said Kagwe.
The development comes at a time when the country's coffee market is experiencing steady growth.
In the 2023-2024 season, clean coffee production rose to 49,501 metric tonnes, with average cherry prices increasing to Sh81.05 per kilo.
According to the Nairobi Coffee Exchange, farmers earned Sh27.6 billion from the auction of 535,941 bags in the period between October 2024 and April 2025. Approximately 32 million kilos of coffee were acquired by local and international dealers.
In the period under review, a total of 15 coffee brokers participated in the auctions. Leading the pack were Alliance Berries Limited, Kirinyaga Slopes, Kenya Cooperative Coffee Exporters Limited (KCCE) and New Kenya Planters Cooperative Union (KPCU).
According to a report dated April 29, Alliance Berries auctioned the largest volume—206,146 bags—earning Sh10.77 billion and accounting for 36.46 per cent of all coffee traded.
Kirinyaga Slopes followed with 62,265 bags, bringing in Sh4.47 billion, representing 15.35 per cent of the market share. New KPCU sold 70,407 bags for Sh3.52 billion (13.14 per cent), while KCCE sold 49,630 bags for Sh2.61 billion.
Minnesota also made a significant contribution, auctioning 40,206 bags valued at Sh2.03 billion.
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