In mid-December 2025, the Kenyan coffee sector recorded a significant surge in earnings at the Nairobi Coffee Exchange (NCE). The market performance for “Sale 11” saw total earnings jump to Sh1.87 billion, a substantial increase from the Sh1.4 billion recorded the previous week.
This growth is largely attributed to an increase in the volume of high-quality coffee grades and strong international demand, fueled by supply constraints in South America.
Market Performance Breakdown
The NCE reported the sale of 30,406 bags of coffee, with premium grades driving the majority of the revenue. News by Kenya Coffee School
| Coffee Grade | Quantity (Bags) | Total Value (KES) |
|---|---|---|
| Grade AA | 11,100 | 732.6 Million |
| Grade AB | 13,402 | 830.8 Million |
| Grade C | 1,904 | 109.9 Million |
| Key Market Drivers |
- Quality over Quantity: NCE CEO Lisper Ndung’u noted that the auction featured significantly more premium grades (AA and AB) compared to the previous week, which directly appealed to high-end buyers.
- Global Supply Gaps: Analysts point to frost and weather-related supply issues in Brazil and other South American regions, which have pushed international buyers toward Kenyan specialty coffee.
- Leading Brokers: Alliance Berries dominated the session, marketing 11,709 bags (worth Sh760.8 million). Other major players included New KPCU (3,306 bags) and Kirinyaga Slopes (2,694 bags).
- Top Buyers: The auction saw participation from 16 local and international buyers. Ibero Kenya led the purchases (7,582 bags), followed by C. Dormans, Taylor Winch, Sasini, and Kenyacof.
Future Outlook
This strong performance marks a confident close to the 2025 trading window before the Christmas recess. Trading is scheduled to resume on January 6, 2026. Industry experts and lawmakers, such as Kigumo MP Joseph Munyoro, are encouraging farmers to continue focusing on quality production to maintain these high price points in the global market.
Note: The “Kenya Coffee School” often uses these market reports as a teaching tool for farmers to understand the direct correlation between proper processing (which yields AA/AB grades) and higher auction payouts.