By Henry Kinyua
The Nairobi Coffee Exchange (NCE) opened the week on a high as Sale 10 signalled a clear shift in momentum for the 2025/2026 season.
The auction moved 22,549 bags, a sharp rise from 18,341 bags in Sale 9, generating USD 11,013,412 or Ksh 1.4 billion at an average price of USD 397 per 50kg Bag or Ksh 158 per Kg of Cherries.
The standout moment was a new season-high: USD 520 per Bag, up from USD 485 last week. That top price went to Lot 6128, a stellar AA coffee from Gachatha Factory in Nyeri County, presented by Alliance Berries Ltd. The 78-bag lot fetched USD 49,119 and was bought by C.Dormans SEZ Ltd
Sale 10 featured strong participation across all brokers:
•Alliance Berries Ltd led with 7,155 bags at USD 423.02 avg
•Kipkelion Broker Co.: 2,807 bags, USD 389.58 avg
•New KPCU Plc: 2413 Bag USD 371 Avg
•Kirinyaga Slopes Brokerage: 2,374 bags, USD 414.18 avg
•CEBBA (Coffee Estates Bourgeoisie): 1,364 bags, USD 390.47 avg
•United Eastern Kenya Coffee Marketing Co. Ltd: 1248 USD 374 Avg
•KCCE Marketing Agency: 882 bags, USD 386.79 avg
•Kinya Coffee Marketing Agency: 1,072 bags, USD 338.41 avg
•Meru County CMA: 657 bags, USD 385 avg
•Minnesota Coffee Marketers: 843 Bags USD 363 avg
•Murang’a Union: 682 Bags USD 413 avg
•Mt Elgon 1052 bags USD 384 avg
Each broker added depth to the catalogue, creating a broad mix of premium AA/AB lots, reliable commercial coffee, and regionally diverse offerings.
The market’s top five buyers accounted for nearly 87% of all purchases:
• Ibero Kenya Ltd – 6,589 bags (USD 3.17M)
• C. Dormans SEZ Ltd – 4,307 bags (USD 2.31M)
• Louis Dreyfus Company – 3,798 bags (USD 1.71M)
• Taylor Winch (Coffee) Ltd – 2,466 bags (USD 1.23M)
• Sasini (K) Ltd – 2,460 bags (USD 1.24M)
Other active buyers were Kenyacof, Sondhi Trading, Rosie Vam Dyke, Global Mark Foods, Star Coffee, Rockbern, Josra, Utake, Bekas Systems, Super Gibs, and First Cup Coffee, who added competition across grades.
Sale 10 reflected rising confidence in farmer deliveries and strengthened demand from global buyers. With Nyeri’s Gachatha Factory setting a new season’s benchmark, and larger catalogues expected in clothing sessions, the market enters Sale 11 with optimism and anticipation before going into Christmas recess.
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