A total of 8,674 bags of coffee equivalent to 541,341 kilograms that were offered for auction at Nairobi Coffee Exchange (NCE) netted Sh592 million.
According to the NCE report on the Sale 3 of the current coffee season, the volume of coffee traded this week was 18 percent lower, compared to 10,650 bags that were traded last week.
In the auction conducted at the Wakulima House in Nairobi, the average price for a bag of 50 kilograms was Sh52,196 equating to Sh160 per kilogram of cherry.
The highest price recorded in the auction was Sh66,021 for each of 18 bags of AA grade coffee from Murarandia Farmers’ Cooperative Society of Murang’a County.
Coffee of premium grades of AA and AB led the auction, making up more than 55 percent of the total volume traded.
AA grade coffee traded fetched at averaged Sh59, 867 per bag, while AB grade earned average price of Sh55,700.
Other notable grades included C, at average price of Sh51,537 and grade PB at average of Sh55,118, thus showing sustained demand for high-quality washed Arabica beans.
Among brokers who participated in the auction, New KPCU PLC traded the highest volume with 2,200 bags equivalent to 137,428 kg valued at Sh140.8 million at an average price of Sh. 51,422 per bag.
Alliance Berries Limited followed with 1,928 bags worth Sh125.5 million, averaging Sh52,067 per bag.
KCCE Marketing Agency traded 913 bags at an average price of Sh52,843 per bag, while Kipkelion Broker Company handled 847 bags, realizing Sh57.6 million at Sh55,039 per bag.
On the other hand, Murang’a County Coffee Dealers Co. Ltd achieved an average of Sh52,972 for 302 bags, while Coffee Estates Bourgeoisie Brokers Ltd maintained an average of Sh48,579.
In the category of buyers, Ibero Kenya Ltd led the pack with 3,138 bags equivalent to 196,004 kilograms, worth Sh205.6 million.
Louis Dreyfus Company purchased 1,827 bags for USD 122 million; Taylor Winch bought 1,288 bags for Sh88 million; C. Dormans SEZ Ltd got 981 bags worth Sh72 million; and Global Mark Foods Ltd acquired 349 bags for Sh12 million.
The volume of coffee purchased by the five companies collectively accounted for nearly 90 per cent of the total volume offered.
By Bernard Munyao
