Kenya’s coffee farmers earned KSh41.63 billion from coffee sold through the Nairobi Coffee Exchange (NCE) during the 2025/2026 coffee year, marking a significant improvement from the previous season.
The earnings came from the sale of approximately 47 million kilogrammes of coffee, with 770,034 bags traded between October 1, 2025 and September 30, 2026.
The latest figure represents an increase of about KSh6 billion compared with the KSh35.6 billion generated during the 2024/2025 coffee year, when 673,844 bags were sold.
Higher prices boost farmer earnings
The stronger performance was supported by relatively firm coffee prices and improved market demand during much of the season.
However, prices softened toward the end of the season. The final auction, Sale 42, held on September 29, saw 17,765 bags earn farmers KSh841.3 million, with an average price of KSh38,140 per 50-kilogramme bag.
Kenya’s coffee sector has also benefited from stronger international prices. Earlier government data showed that coffee production was recovering, with production in the 2024/25 coffee year reaching about 50,589 tonnes.
Rural economy gets a boost
The improved coffee earnings are particularly important for rural Kenya, where coffee supports hundreds of thousands of farming households as well as workers, cooperatives, transporters, processors and other businesses along the agricultural value chain.
Several counties recorded significant coffee sales during the season. Meru marketed 21,786 bags, while Mt Elgon sold 15,334 bags. Murang’a growers marketed 12,476 bags.
The stronger earnings could provide farmers with additional resources to invest in their farms, pay school fees, meet household expenses and support local businesses.
Outlook for 2026/27
The coffee industry is now entering the 2026/2027 coffee year, with stakeholders looking to increase production, improve quality and secure better-paying international markets.
Coffee Board of Kenya Chairman Henry Kinyua has expressed optimism about improved prices in the new season while urging farmers to maintain good agricultural practices and coffee quality.
For Kenya’s rural economy, the rise in coffee earnings is an important development. The challenge now is ensuring that higher international coffee prices translate into sustainable and predictable incomes for farmers.
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