The Nairobi Coffee Exchange (NCE)

The Nairobi Coffee Exchange (NCE) is Kenya’s central coffee auction and the hub for transparent coffee trading. Established as a non-profit organization, NCE provides a reliable platform where coffee buyers and sellers meet to trade efficiently. Sellers showcase their coffee, while buyers inspect and sample beans before purchase, ensuring fair pricing and high-quality standards.

Kenya’s coffee thrives along the Equator, with fertile volcanic soils at high elevations ranging from 1,220 to 2,000 meters above sea level. The country predominantly produces Arabica coffee, which accounts for 99% of national output. Kenyan coffee is globally renowned for its rich body, bright acidity, intense flavor, and unique berry notes like black currant. Popular varietals include SL28, SL34, K7, Ruiru 11, and Batian. Wet processing preserves flavor clarity and acidity, enhancing the overall coffee experience.

NCE manages the coffee auction under strict regulatory frameworks, including the Crops Act and the Capital Markets (Coffee Exchange) Regulations. The exchange supports all stakeholders, from large estates and smallholder farmers to licensed exporters and traders. It ensures quality through rigorous coffee grading, with Kenya AA as the highest grade, followed by AB, PB, E, C, TT, T, and MH/ML.

Through technology and strategic partnerships, NCE facilitates efficient price discovery, market access, and traceability for Kenyan coffee. By connecting producers to global buyers, the Nairobi Coffee Exchange strengthens the coffee value chain, boosts incomes for farmers, and promotes Kenya as a world-class coffee origin.