The Mountain Journal
Fourteen local and international coffee buyers spent Sh 397.1 million in purchasing 9,826 bags of coffee at the Nairobi Coffee Exchange (NCE).
During the weekly auction, coffee brokers Alliance Berries Limited and New KPCU delivered the highest consignment of coffee.
Munani coffee factory affiliated to Mikumbune cooperative society marketed by Alliance Berries Limited achieved the highest price of Sh42,054 per bag of grade AA.
Silwet estate achieved the second best price through the New KPCU at Sh41,667.
New KPCU marketed 3,457 bags that earned the growers Sh140.3 million, and the Alliance Berries Sh103.8 million for 2,446 bags.
Other factories that achieved better prices through the alliance berries are Ichuga Sh40,843, Kiangundo Sh40,248, and Kiamaina Sh38,829.
NCE CEO Ms Lisper Ndung’u said the coffee brokers delivered 5,791 bags of grades AA and AB out of 9,826 bags of coffee at the auction.
Ndungu explained that Alliance Berries and New KPCU at the auction delivered 5,903 bags of coffee and ranked the leading among the brokers.
“ In the market analysis, the buyers are interested in the quality of coffee and thus need for the farmers to adhere to the best farming principles,” said Ms Ndung’u.
Cooperative Principal Secretary Mr Patrick Kilemi said the coffee sector was earning the country foreign exchange, thus the need for farmers to concentrate in production of quality produce to satisfy the expanded market.
“ The foreign missions are assisting in exploration of the market as directed by President William Ruto. The buyers are interested in the quality produce as the government is assisting the farmers with subsided fertiflisers.
In the dealers category, the NCE reports indicate that Louis Dreyfus bought 1,918 bags followed by Ibero Kenya 1,811 bags, C Dorman 1,312 bags, Kenyacof 1,157 bags,Taylor Winch 928 bags, among others.
Kenya Coffee Producers Association (KCPA) Chairman Peter Gikonyo said the government should hasten distribution of subsided fertiliers to enable the farmers produce the quality grades.
“ A study by the association has established that growers who attend the coffee farmers training produce the quality grades that attract the local and international buyers,” said Gikonyo.
Other coffee brokers that participated in the auction were KCCE that delivered 756 bags, Kipkelion 887 bags, Kirinyaga Slopes 978 bags,Meru county 832 bags, Murang’a county 285 bags, United Eastern 185 bags,
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