By CHURCHILL SIMIYU, REPORTER
Nairobi, Kenya.

Kenya’s coffee sector is positioning itself for greater global visibility and premium earnings as top-performing farmers and companies prepare to represent the country at a regional coffee competition in Zimbabwe from July 4 to 6.

Speaking during a national coffee quality competition, sector officials said the event has underscored Kenya’s reputation for producing some of the world’s finest coffee, while also responding to calls for continuous improvement in quality standards. Winners from the national contest will advance to the regional stage, where the best performers will compete against peers from across Africa.
Coffees that emerge top at the regional level will be listed on the Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) website for an online auction, a move expected to connect Kenyan farmers directly with international buyers and secure premium prices. Officials said the auction platform will significantly boost global visibility for Kenyan coffee and enable successful cooperatives and farmers to sustain higher prices throughout the year.

“This initiative will ensure our coffees are highly visible in the international market and that farmers who perform well remain competitive globally,” an official said, noting that the process had been rigorous but rewarding.
The competition also highlighted growing youth participation in coffee farming, a trend the government and industry players say is critical for the sector’s long-term sustainability. Organisers reported strong youth turnout, signalling renewed interest among younger farmers in coffee production.

On production, officials acknowledged that Kenya currently produces an average of about 50,000 metric tonnes of coffee annually, but stressed the government’s commitment to expanding output while assuring farmers of stable markets. Globally, coffee production is declining even as consumption continues to rise, a trend that presents an opportunity for Kenyan growers.

“The government is committed to ensuring there is a market for farmers’ coffee,” the official said, adding that market access remains a key pillar of sector reforms.

Kenya is pursuing a diversified market strategy that includes boosting domestic consumption, strengthening traditional markets in Europe, expanding specialty coffee sales in the United States and Japan, and tapping into emerging regional and African markets. The recent extension of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) was cited as a major boost, particularly for value-added Kenyan coffee entering the US market.

Beyond traditional destinations, officials pointed to emerging opportunities in China, South Korea, Malaysia and North Africa, including Morocco, Algeria and Egypt, with government support aimed at helping Kenya penetrate these markets.
Domestically, coffee consumption is also on the rise. The number of coffeehouses has grown from just 14 in 2002 to nearly 800 today, with local consumption now estimated at about 2,000 metric tonnes annually.
To address past declines in production—largely attributed to land-use changes and reduced investment—the government has rolled out targeted incentives, including infrastructure upgrades at factories, improved pumping stations, and the introduction of subsidised fertiliser for coffee farmers. These interventions are expected to enhance quality, raise productivity and deliver better prices.
Sector performance in 2025 has shown improvement compared to the previous year, with auction prices remaining stable and, in some cases, higher than before. While overall production growth has been marginal, officials expressed confidence that a market-driven approach and continued investment in specialty coffee will drive future gains.

Comprehensive production and export data, they added, will be detailed in the upcoming AFA Coffee Yearbook, which will provide updated figures for stakeholders and the public.