In the coffee auction—specifically the Nairobi Coffee Exchange (NCE) where your coffee is likely headed—a “Lot” is the fundamental unit of trade. It is a specific, documented quantity of coffee that is sold to the highest bidder.
Since you are targeting high-density AA (Screen 17/18) and AB (Screen 15/16) grades, understanding how these become “Lots” is key to getting your best price.
- Anatomy of a Coffee Lot
Each Lot in the auction catalog is a distinct “package” of coffee. For a buyer to bid on it, a Lot must have:
- A Lot Number: A unique ID for that specific sale.
- An Out-turn Number: This is the tracking number assigned at the dry mill. It links the lot back to your specific delivery (your farm or factory).
- Grade: As per your targets, this will be AA, AB, PB (Peaberry), etc.
- Bag Count: Usually measured in 60kg bags. A lot can range from a “micro-lot” of just 1–10 bags to a large bulk of 50+ bags.
- Total Weight: The net weight in kilograms.
- Why “Lots” Matter for Your Harvest
The auction doesn’t just sell “coffee”—it sells the consistency within a Lot. This is where your husbandry parameters come into play:
Uniformity is King
If your Lot is labeled AA, every bean in that Lot must strictly fit Screen 17/18. If a buyer finds “lights” or smaller beans mixed in (due to poor pruning or uneven feeding), they will “downgrade” their bid, even if the flavor is good.
The Sample Room
Before the auction, a 250g sample is drawn from your Lot and placed in the Exchange Sample Room. Buyers (exporters) roast and cup these samples.
- BRIX & Density Connection: Buyers look for “body” and “acidity.” Your goal of 820–850 g/L density ensures that when the buyer roasts your sample, it has the cellular structure to develop the complex flavors they pay premiums for.
- The Auction Process for a Lot
- Cataloging: Your marketing agent lists your Lot in the weekly catalog.
- The Reserve Price: A minimum price is set (often based on the New York C-Price + a quality premium).
- Bidding: On Tuesday (the traditional auction day in Nairobi), buyers bid in USD per 50kg bag.
- The Hammer: If the bid hits your reserve, the Lot is “Knocked Down” (Sold). If it doesn’t, it may be “Withdrawn” to be offered again or sold via the “Second Window” (Direct Sale).
- Types of Lots You Might Produce
- Main Grade Lots (AA & AB): These are your “money makers.” Because you are aiming for high density and specific screen sizes, these will form the bulk of your auction presence.
- Micro-lots: If you have a specific block of trees that you managed perfectly (hitting that 22° BRIX), your miller might keep that coffee separate. These “Micro-lots” often fetch much higher prices than the standard factory average.
- Sweepings/E Grades: These are the leftovers (broken beans, oversized, or very small). They are sold as separate, lower-value lots.
Pro Tip: In the current 2026 market, the Direct Settlement System (DSS) ensures that once your Lot is sold, the payment is processed digitally, with a large percentage going directly to your account, bypassing many of the old “middleman” delays.