By Henry Kinyua
The Nairobi Coffee Exchange hosted Sale 16 yesterday in what can only be described as a 14-hour endurance test from 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM. Nearly 47,000 bags of Kenya’s finest coffee beans changed hands, making everyone wonder: did the traders actually get lunch breaks, or were they too caffeinated to notice they were hungry?
Market Performance
Over the 14-hour trading session, 46,984 bags weighing 2,868,424 kilograms were sold for a total value of USD 19,869,355.42 (approximately KES 2.58 billion). That works out to approximately 3,356 bags per hour, or roughly 56 bags every minute.
The average price settled at USD 346.35 per 50 kg bag, with premium lots commanding as much as USD 442.00 while the bottom-tier beans scraped by at USD 104.00. Compared to last week’s Sale 15, volumes exploded by 43% (jumping from 32,876 bags), though prices took a 10% tumble from USD 385.00, proving that when it rains coffee, prices pour down too.
However, compared to Sale 16 from last season, when only 23,333 bags were sold at USD 341.00, this year’s performance was absolutely percolating, with volumes more than doubling and prices staying relatively stable.
Broker Performance
Fifteen marketing agents participated in Sale 16, with varying degrees of success. Alliance Berries Limited dominated the market, moving 15,027 bags at an average price of USD 349.03 per bag, a commanding 32% market share. Kirinyaga Slopes Coffee Brokerage Company Ltd achieved the highest average price of USD 382 across its 9,735 bags, accounting for 20.7% of the market.
New Kenya Planters Co-operative Union PLC secured third place with 4,621 bags, at an average price of USD 344.73 per bag (9.8% market share). Kipkelion Broker Company Ltd followed with 4,421 bags at USD 328.27 average (9.4% share), while KCCE Marketing Agency Limited rounded out the top five with 4,316 bags at USD 341.41 (9.2% share).
Other notable brokers included Kinya Coffee Marketing Agency Ltd (1,761 bags at USD 298.22), Coffee Estates Bourgeoisie Brokers Limited (1,677 bags at USD 328.38), and Minnesota Coffee Marketers Limited (1,225 bags at USD 301.53). The remaining brokers were Meru County Coffee Marketing Agency (1,093 bags), Mt. Elgon Coffee Marketing Agency (1,062 bags), United Eastern Kenya Coffee Marketing Co. Ltd (943 bags), Murang’a County Coffee Dealers (920 bags), and Kiambu Coffee Marketing Limited (183 bags).
Top Buyers
Ibero Kenya Ltd led all buyers, purchasing 16,209 bags, representing 34.5% of the total market. C. Dormans SEZ Ltd came in second with 8,641 bags, while Kenyacof Limited secured 5,466 bags
Others included: Louis Dreyfus Company acquired 4,646 bags, Sasini (K) Limited took 4,497 bags, and Taylor Winch (Coffee) Limited rounded out the top six with 3,520 bags. Together, these six buyers controlled 92% of the market, purchasing a combined 42,979 bags.
Coffee Grade Performance
Premium AA-grade beans moved 14,365 bags at an average of USD 368, while AB-grade dominated with 22,639 bags at USD 352—representing nearly half of all coffee sold. The C grade, PB (Peaberry), and various specialty grades made up the remainder of the market, with prices ranging from USD 104.00 to USD 442.00 depending on quality.
Market Outlook
Sale 16 concluded at 10:00 PM, demonstrating the continued strength of Kenya’s coffee sector. With volumes more than doubling compared to last season, the market shows no signs of slowing down. I can only say. “After 14 hours of this, I finally understand why coffee prices fluctuate—it’s the universe’s way of keeping us humble… and awake.”
