Kenya’s Coffee Quality Surges as Nairobi Exchange Sees Rise in Premium Grades and Market Value (2023–2025)

The Nairobi Coffee Exchange (NCE) has witnessed significant improvements in coffee quality and market performance between the 2023/2024 and 2024/2025 seasons, reflecting the positive impact of enhanced agronomic practices and favorable market conditions. 

☕ Coffee Grade Distribution Shifts The distribution of coffee grades at the NCE has shifted notably, indicating a trend toward higher-quality coffee production: 

• Grade AA: Increased from 19% to 25% of total sales, highlighting a rise in premium-grade coffee.
• Grade C: Decreased from 16% to 10%, suggesting a reduction in lower-grade offerings.
• Grade MH: Declined from 6% to 2%, further indicating improved overall quality.
• Grade PB (Peaberry): Remained relatively stable, with a slight increase from 5% to 6%.

These changes underscore a positive trend toward higher-quality coffee production and trading. 

📈 Market Performance Metrics The NCE's market performance has shown substantial growth across key indicators:  Total Sales Volume: Increased dramatically from 28,866 kgs to 34,232,491.73 kgs. 

• Total Value: Rose from KSh 19.6 billion to KSh 27.9 billion, reflecting increased demand and higher-quality offerings.
• Average Price per 50 kg Bag: Climbed from $225 to $333, marking a 48% appreciation.

This price surge is attributed to both improved coffee quality and favorable market conditions. 

🌱 Agronomic Practices Driving Quality Agronomists attribute the improvements in coffee quality to the adoption of enhanced farming practices, including: 

1. Pruning: Regular pruning to maintain plant health and productivity.
2. Nutrition: Appropriate use of fertilizers to ensure optimal plant growth.
3. Crop Protection: Implementation of pesticides and Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices to safeguard crops.
4. Moisture Management: Ensuring adequate water supply through rainfall or irrigation.

The combination of these practices, supported by effective advisory and extension services, has led to increased volumes and higher-grade coffee production.

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