NYERI, Kenya Nov 7 – A recent tour of coffee factories in Nyeri County by over 20 international coffee buyers hailing from seven countries has uncovered a long-held belief among farmers.
This belief pertains to their being shortchanged by middlemen who control the coffee trade and pay them meager prices, despite the premium rates Kenyan coffee commands in international markets.
The buyers, representing various countries in Europe and Asia, made a startling revelation during their six-day visit, organized by the Nice Coffee Expo.
They expressed shock at the disparity between what they pay for Kenyan coffee and the payments that ultimately reach the farmers.
Frederick Bauer, a coffee buyer from Germany who has been sourcing Kenyan coffee for the past decade, shared his perspective: “Generally, the problem in Kenya seems to be that we end up paying high prices, but what reaches the farmers is low. The difference between what we pay and what the farmers get is very high.”
Buyers like Bauer are frustrated by the lack of transparency regarding the actual farmgate prices for Kenyan coffee farmers. They often receive only vague percentage figures from their agents. Bauer expressed hope for the ongoing reforms in the Kenyan coffee industry, which might allow them to establish direct connections with the farmers.
A South African buyer known as Chris revealed that a significant portion of Kenyan coffee finds its way to the European market rather than South Africa. He expressed excitement at the prospect of buying coffee directly from Kenyan farmers, acknowledging the challenges faced by coffee growers in Kenya’s poverty-stricken regions. Chris mentioned the excitement of participating in a cupping event to sample many varieties of Kenyan coffee.
David Zhang from China highlighted the growing demand for Kenyan coffee in his country. He expressed his enthusiasm for the possibility of sourcing coffee directly from Kenyan farmers.
Kanyi Mbote, a representative from the Thunguri factory in Mukurweini, expressed satisfaction with the tour. He emphasized that Kenyan farmers would benefit significantly from direct negotiations with buyers, bypassing middlemen.
A confidential source within the group of buyers revealed that they pay nearly $15 per kilogram of clean coffee, while farmers receive less than a dollar for the same quantity.
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, leading coffee reforms in the Kenya Kwanza administration, has pledged to eliminate cartels that have exploited farmers and profited from their hard work.
