Coffee,
Kenyan coffee has continued to attract impressive prices at the Nairobi Coffee Exchange (NCE) for the last two weeks. During this week’s sale of coffee at NCE a total of 26, 813 bags of coffee fetched Sh1 billion which was a slight decrease as compared to last week’s Sh1.3 billion.
Karumandi Coffee factory in Kirinyaga County which sold its coffee through Alliance Berries Ltd got best prices with a bag of grade AA going for Sh50, 180. The factory fetched Sh6.6 million after selling 107 bags of grade AA coffee.
Other factories that got better prices for their coffee include Kiunyu factory with 55 bags of AA grade that was bought at Sh46, 410 per bag while Thangani and Nduma factories under New Kenya Planters Cooperative Union (KPCU) each sold 112 bags of AA quality at each Sh48, 230 per bag.
NCE acting CEO Ms Lisper Ndung’u said in the auction the Alliance Berries Ltd led the pack as its 10,292 bags were bought at Sh437.47 million followed by Kirinyaga Slopes with 6,048 bags that fetched Sh234.06 million.
The New NKPCU emerged third in the list of best sellers after realizing Sh191.6 million from 4,737 bags. Ndung’u noted that the three leading marketing agents delivered 5,979 bags of AA at the auction market, out of the 6,901 bags that were collected from the cooperatives and estates by the nine agents.
The CEO added that the auction attracted 16 coffee buyers both local and international as compared to 20 buyers who participated in last week’s auction. In the dealers’ category, Kenyacoff bought 5,262 bags for Sh207.51 million, Ibero Kenya procured 5,218 bags at Sh201.37 million while Sasini bought 3,907 bags at Sh174.45 million.
Other dealers were C-Dormans who bought 3,639 bags at Sh168.47 million and Louis Dreyfus who purchased 3,716 bags at Sh130.17 million while Taylor Winch bought 2,665 bags at Sh106.9 million.
Some elected Murang’a leaders who spoke to KNA via phone call lauded the impressive coffee prices saying high returns will encourage farmers to increase production.
Kigumo MP Joseph Munyoro and his Kangema counterpart Peter Kihungi noted that prices of coffee for the last three months have been remarkable, attributing it to the government’s commitment in reviving the coffee sector. Munyoro highlighted that this week 26, 850 bags of coffee was sourced from 1,093 farmers’ cooperatives and estates as compared to 33,470 bags that were delivered last week.
“As members of Coffee Tea Parliamentary Association (Cotepa) we encourage farmers to focus on increasing production by proper tending of their coffee bushes. From what we have witnessed at the auction, buyers are interested in the quality,” he noted.
On his part, Kihungi said coffee remains a major income earner in Mt Kenya region calling for more support from relevant government agencies to help farmers improve on quality and quantity. “Coffee reforms have revamped the sector with farmers getting better returns as more focus should be on timely payment for their produce,” said Kihungi.
Kenya Coffee Producers Association (KCPA) Chairman Peter Gikonyo stressed the need for production of quality coffee saying this will ensure Kenyan coffee attracts more international buyers. “Analysing the coffee auction, most of the coffee presented for sale is that of grade AA, AB and C and these qualities have earned farmers’ high returns. Our focus should be on quality as we strive to revive the sector,” added Gikonyo.