Coffee farmers allied to various cooperative societies have earned Sh1.058 billion in Tuesday’s auction at the Nairobi Coffee Exchange (NCE).
The amount was higher compared to Sh802 million that was realised last week from 19,804 bags that were auctioned.
During this week’s auction, 26,449 bags sourced from 1,081 cooperative societies across the country were traded.
In the auction a total of 5,056 bags of grade AA were sold fetching Sh247.6 million from local and international buyers. 10,377 bags of grade AB earned farmers Sh433.98 million.
Alliance Berries Ltd led the other coffee agents by selling 7,546 bags for Sh328.764 million followed by Kirinyaga Slopes Ltd which sold 7,371 bags of coffee for Sh264.58 million.
New Kenya Planters Cooperative Union (NKPCU) emerged third-best seller by selling 4,739 bags for Sh212.89 million.
Among the bags sold by NKPCU, 1,248 bags were of grade AA which fetched Sh64.301 million.
Among coffee factories that made remarkable sales include the Konyu factory in Kirinyaga which sold 43 bags of grade AA earning Sh8.169 million.
Guama and Gaturiri factories which traded their coffee through Alliance Berries Ltd sold a total of 81 bags of grade AA earning Sh7.577 million.
The Karatina coffee factory through Alliance Berries Limited also sold another consignment of 133 bags of AA each at Sh60,702 per bag.
NCE acting Chief Executive Officer Lisper Ndungu said in the past few weeks, Kenyan coffee has continued to attract lucrative prices.
She said 19 local and international buyers have been attracted by Kenyan coffee adding the buyers are very interested in the quality of coffee offered in the auction.
Four factories including Konyu, Guama, Gaturiri and Karatina, Ms Ndungu said, presented high-quality coffee that fetched better prices.
The CEO who spoke to KNA via phone said other factories whose coffee fetched above Sh53, 000 per bag include Ndaroini, Kagumo, Iyego and Mukengeria.
In the coffee buyers’ category, Ms Ndung’u detailed that Ibero Kenya bought 5,960 bags for Sh264.58 million, followed by C. Dorman Ltd which bought 4,308 bags at Sh222.27 million.
“Other buyers were Kenyacof 5,622 bags for Sh213.66 million, Louis Dreyfus 5,511 bags for Sh198.89 million, Jowam coffee traders bought 1,163 bags for Sh42.9 million,” said the NCE official.
Kigumo MP Joseph Munyoro in a rejoinder lauded the government’s efforts to revive the coffee sector saying farmers are earning better income from the crop.
He encouraged the farmers to adopt best practices to produce high-quality coffee which fetches better prices.
Chairman of Kenya Coffee Producers Association Peter Gikonyo said the coffee auction was stable following delivery of coffee by aggressive marketing agents.
He said his organisation is encouraging farmers to sell their coffee through renowned marketing agents noting that the NCE trading platform is doing well in terms of attracting best buyers.
By Bernard Munyao
