A New Dawn for Kenya’s Coffee Industry
Kenya’s coffee farmers are poised for higher earnings and increased production, thanks to a wave of government-backed reforms aimed at revitalizing the sector. With coffee prices projected to nearly double compared to 2022, the government is making bold moves to ensure farmers get their fair share while strengthening Kenya’s position in the global coffee market.
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki assured farmers that 2025 will be a turning point, with coffee cherry prices expected to reach KES 110 (US$0.85) per kilogram. This significant jump is the result of targeted policies designed to improve farmer incomes, increase production, and restore Kenya’s coffee industry to its former glory.
“We have to make sure coffee farmers earn more, and coffee brings in more foreign exchange as it used to. The Kenya Kwanza manifesto requires us to increase incomes and value for our farmers and other players in the value chain,” Kindiki stated.
Guaranteed Minimum Return: A Game-Changer for Farmers
To protect farmers from market fluctuations, the government has introduced a Guaranteed Minimum Return (GMR) of KES 100 per kilogram for coffee cherries. This ensures that regardless of global coffee prices, farmers will not sell their produce below this benchmark, securing stable and fair earnings.
This move is a lifeline for thousands of smallholder coffee farmers, many of whom have struggled with fluctuating prices and exploitative middlemen for years.
Fast-Tracking Key Legislation to Cement Reforms
During a recent meeting with the National Assembly Coffee Caucus, Kindiki emphasized the urgency of passing the Coffee Bill, 2023, and the Cooperatives Bill, 2024, both of which are currently before the Senate.
“The Bills must be finalized as soon as possible because they are at the center of the reforms. We encourage the Senate to process the Bills that will unlock the coffee reforms package,” he urged lawmakers.
These Bills aim to:
✅ Eliminate exploitative cartels that have been suppressing farmer profits
✅ Ensure fair pricing and transparent trade in coffee auctions
✅ Empower coffee cooperatives to negotiate better terms for farmers
Making Farming Easier: Inputs, Debt Relief & Modernization
The government is tackling challenges at the root, ensuring farmers have everything they need to succeed. Some of the key interventions include:
🔹 Access to high-quality seedlings and subsidized fertilizers through an improved last-mile distribution system
🔹 Waiving accumulated debts for coffee cooperatives to ease financial burdens
🔹 Modernizing coffee processing factories to increase efficiency and reduce post-harvest losses
By ensuring farmers have access to the right inputs at the right time, Kenya is setting the stage for higher productivity and better quality coffee—which means higher prices in global markets.
Expanding Coffee Farming Beyond Traditional Regions
While Central Kenya has long been the heartland of coffee production, the government is now encouraging coffee farming in non-traditional regions, including:
🌱 Rift Valley
🌱 Western Kenya
🌱 Nyanza
🌱 Lower Eastern
These regions have shown great potential for coffee cultivation, and expanding production here could significantly boost Kenya’s coffee output.
“We can have more production if we increase the acreage and the production per bush. We want to put more land under coffee and raise production per bush from 2kg to 10kg by 2027, as promised in our manifesto,” Kindiki noted.
Scaling Up Seed Production to Meet Growing Demand
To support this expansion in coffee farming, the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation (KALRO) has launched a national coffee planting campaign aimed at increasing coffee seed production from 5,000 kg to 15,000 kg by 2027/28.
This ensures that farmers in new coffee-growing regions will have access to disease-resistant, high-yield coffee varieties, further boosting productivity and earnings.
Strengthening Kenya’s Global Coffee Market Position
Beyond increasing production and farmer earnings, the government is also working to promote Kenyan coffee in new international markets.
Kenyan coffee has long been renowned for its rich flavor and high quality, making it a top choice in premium markets like Europe, the U.S., and Asia. By securing new trade agreements and marketing initiatives, Kenya can drive demand for its coffee, ensuring better prices for farmers.
A Bright Future for Kenyan Coffee Farmers
With these bold reforms, Kenya’s coffee farmers are on a path to higher earnings, increased productivity, and a stronger foothold in the global coffee industry.
By ensuring fair pricing, eliminating exploitative middlemen, modernizing farming practices, and expanding production areas, the government is laying the foundation for a coffee sector that truly benefits farmers—not just exporters and traders.
As the 2025 coffee season approaches, one thing is clear: Kenya’s coffee industry is making a comeback, and farmers are set to reap the rewards.
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