Coffee farmers mints' gains

The Mountain Journal

editor@themountainjournal.co.ke

The coffee market is set to proceeds on May 6, marking the end of the main crop harvesting that started on October 1, last year that earned Sh11.1 billion.

The Nairobi Coffee Exchange (NCE)  will be closed between May 6 and July 8.

In the first half of the crop year 2024/2025, reports from the Nairobi Coffee Exchange (NCE)  states that counties of Kiambu, Murang’a, Nyeri, Embu, and Kiambu increased production compared to the previous season in 2023/2024. 

In the payment data, Embu farmers sold 24,351 bags that fetched Sh1.3 billion, Kirinyaga 86,164 bags for Sh4.8 billion,Kiambu 40,525 bags for Sh2 billion, Murang’a 58,210 for Sh 3 billion, and Nyeri 80,103 bags for Sh4.3 billion.

 According to experts the farmers in the year received better payment compared to the previous year, coupled by conducive weather and the exchange rate.

Peter Gikonyo, a farmer in Murang'a, says a better environment contributed to increased production and reduced pesticide attacks.

The best factories in payment are Kieni factory affiliated to Mugaga Society in Mathira achieved Sh 150.10 per kilogramme, Kabingara Sh 149.05, Kagumo Sh 148.80, Gicherori Sh147.40,Gachatha Sh145, Karumandi Sh144.30,Mukure Sh114.25. 

Others are  Mushagara 143.80,Gacami 145.10, Wanjengi Sh 141.55,Guama 141.80, Kiangombe Sh 141.05, and Mubuki Sh 141.

In the market analysis, the majority of the factories that achieved the best prices are affiliated with coffee brokers, Alliance Berries Limited, Kirinyaga Slopes and New KPCU.

Coffee value chain expert Henry Kinyua says the better payment followed increased production of quality coffee.

In a meeting, the farmers in Kiambu and Murang’a, led by Godfrey Kanyiri asked the government to assist them with new varieties of coffee seedlings to assist in the increased production of the quality produce.

“ With the assistance of new varieties, Kenya will register increased production in the coming years. In Murang’a Wanjengi factory affiliated to Kahuhia society achieved the highest prices of Sh 141.55 per kilogramme following the leadership monitoring the farmers activities,” said Kanyiri.

Coffee value chain expert Henry Kinyua says in the year growers earned better payment owing to better production.

“ There is a need for the growers to concentrate on the production of the quality cherries in their farms, to attract better payment,” said Kinyua.

In the coffee brokers performance, Embu county, in KCCE led in auction of  42 percent of the total production,  followed by Alliance Berries 29 percent, and New KPCU at 20 percent.

 In Murang’a, Alliance Berries led at 47 percent followed by Kirinyaga Slopes at 14 percent. In Kirinyaga, Kirinyaga Slopes took the lead of 53 percent, followed by Alliance Berries at 36 percent. 

In the 2024/2025, farmers in Kiambu produced 40,525 bags of coffee that earned them Sh2 billion, Embu 24,351 bags for Sh1.3 billion.

Murang’a earned Sh3 billion after the auction of 58,210 bags that fetched Sh 3 billion, while Kirinyaga 86,164 bags for Sh4.8 billion, while Nyeri made 80,103 bags that made Sh4.8 billion.

In Nyeri county, Alliance Berries Limited auctioned 59 percent of the coffee, KCCE and New KPCU sold 13 percent each.