By Henry Kinyua
The Nairobi Coffee Exchange (NCE) delivered one of the busiest trading sessions of the season as Sale 13 took place on Tuesday, 13th January 2026, a memorable coincidence that farmers and traders will easily recall as “Sale 13 on the 13th.”
Official results show that the auction traded 31,723 bags of coffee, weighing 1,941,703 kilos, and generating a total value of USD 15,418,196.04, equivalent to approximately KES 1.99 billion at an average price of USD 397 per 50 kg bag, equivalent to Ksh 158 per Kg of Cherry ( Using a conversion ratio of 6.5 kg of cherry making 1 Kg of clean coffee)
The strong performance came alongside firm pricing across the market, with the maximum price reaching USD 500 per 50kg bag, underscoring continued competition for premium Kenyan coffee. The highest-priced coffee of the day was in three Lots, Lot 6183 from Gachatha FCS from Nyeri County(Grade AA), which sold 63 bags, Lot 6204 also from Gachatha, 61 bags and Lot 6221 from Guama FCS in Kirinyaga County with 100 bags, all sold at USD 500 per Bag and were purchased by Kenyacof Limited.
Broker activity once again shaped the day’s market direction, led by Alliance Berries Limited, which dominated volumes after trading 14,044 bags at an average price of USD 411.69 per 50kg bag. Kirinyaga Slopes Coffee Brokerage Company Ltd delivered another standout performance, trading 4,119 bags at an average price of USD 422.35, reinforcing its strength in quality offerings. Government-linked New Kenya Planters Co-operative Union (New KPCU) Plc also played a major role, trading 3,738 bags at an average price of USD 390.73, reflecting firm buyer demand.
Other active brokers included KCCE Marketing Agency Ltd, which traded 1,950 bags at an average price of USD 402.05, and Kipkelion Broker Company Ltd, which traded 1,747 bags at an average of USD 367.51. Minnesota Coffee Marketers Ltd recorded 1,154 bags at an average of USD 373.86, while Kinya Coffee Marketing Agency Ltd traded 1,140 bags at an average price of USD 331.38. Mt. Elgon Coffee Marketing Agency traded 1,129 bags at an average of USD 350.12, while United Eastern Kenya Coffee Marketing Co. Ltd traded 1,058 bags at an average of USD 323.74.
Meanwhile, Coffee Estates Bourgeoisie Brokers Limited (CEBBA) traded 1,071 bags at an average of USD 389.25, and Murang’a County Coffee Dealers Co. Ltd traded 573 bags at a strong average of USD 393.95, showing solid returns even at smaller volumes.
On the buying side, demand remained heavily concentrated among the largest exporters and processors, highlighting the dominance of a few key firms in driving trade volumes at the exchange. Kenyacof Limited emerged as the biggest buyer with 9,335 bags, followed by Taylor Winch (Coffee) Ltd with 6,050 bags, and Ibero Kenya Ltd, which purchased 5,419 bags. C. Dormans SEZ Ltd bought 3,591 bags, while Sasini (K) Ltd rounded out the top five with 3,023 bags.
Combined, these Top 5 buyers purchased 27,418 bags, accounting for about 86.4 per cent of all coffee traded in Sale 13, confirming that the bulk of demand remains anchored among a small group of dominant buyers who continue to shape price discovery at the exchange.
Sale 13’s performance also stands out sharply when viewed against the previous two seasons. In the 2023/2024 season, Sale 13 recorded 21,359 bags traded at an average price of USD 235 per 50kg bag, while in the 2024/2025 season, Sale 13 recorded 13,990 bags at an average of USD 334. This season’s Sale 13 (2025/2026) has now surged to 31,723 bags, representing a 48.5 % increase compared to Sale 13 of 2023/2024 and a dramatic 127% increase compared to Sale 13 of 2024/2025.
For farmers, cooperatives, and estates tracking the market closely, “Sale 13 on the 13th” will be remembered not just for the date, but for the strong volumes and solid returns it delivered, setting a confident pace for the auctions ahead.
