Coffee growers received KSh870 million from the Nairobi Coffee Exchange after 18,338 bags, totalling 1,131,513 kilograms, were sold at the latest weekly auction.
The proceeds were lower than the previous week when the exchange generated KSh1.01 billion from 21,636 bags weighing 1,333,429 kilograms.
The overall average price was USD 295.90 (KSh38,449) per 50-kilogram bag, with individual bags fetching between USD 48.00 (KSh6,236) and USD 387.00 (KSh50,259).
New Kenya Planters Co-operative Union PLC marketed 2,049 bags (126,442 kg) at an average of USD 251.77 (KSh32,714) per 50-kg bag, giving a portfolio value of USD 636,678.62 (KSh82.73 million).
Alliance Berries Limited sold 3,267 bags (202,482 kg) at USD 292.79 (KSh38,045) per 50-kg bag, Mt Elgon Coffee Marketing Agency handled 2,536 bags (155,138 kg) at USD 316.70 (KSh41,152) per 50-kg bag, Coffee Estate Bourgeoisie Brokers Limited traded 1,709 bags (106,411 kg) at USD 283.44 (KSh36,830) per 50-kg bag, and Kirinyaga Slopes Coffee Brokerage Company Ltd moved 1,623 bags (99,439 kg) at USD 331.07 (KSh42,996) per 50-kg bag.
On the buying side Ibero Kenya led with 3,773 bags, followed by Kenyacof Limited with 3,554 bags, Louis Dreyfus Company with 2,785 bags, C. Dorman SEZ Ltd with 2,019 bags and Global Mark Foods Ltd with 1,487 bags.
Grade AB recorded the highest volume at 8,268 bags, averaging USD 319.07 (KSh41,437) per 50-kg bag, while AA fetched the top average price of USD 334.28 (KSh43,412) per 50-kg bag across 3,860 bags.
Other grades traded as follows: C – 2,193 bags at USD 284.56; T – 430 bags at USD 184.00; UG2 – 172 bags at USD 101.18; UG1 – 293 bags at USD 218.29; TT – 476 bags at USD 264.62; PB – 805 bags at USD 312.12; MH – 1,371 bags at USD 205.02; ML – 251 bags at USD 70.88 per 50-kg bag.
The auction’s highest single price was USD 387.00 (KSh50,259) per 50-kg bag.
NCE Chief Executive Officer Lisper Ndung’u said the auction continues to give growers a chance to secure competitive prices and observed that buyers are increasingly focused on quality coffee, often visiting farms through their factories.
Coffee Board of Kenya Chairman Henry Kinyua urged farmers to boost production and expand their coffee holdings to raise earnings from the sector.
