As we wrap up Kenya's 2025 coffee harvest season, we are seeing both challenges and quality improvements. The 2024/2025 harvest stands out for its smaller volume and increased quality. We spoke to our colleague Richard Mugi Ndiang'ui, Field Sourcing Coordinator at Kenyacof (Sucafina in Kenya) to get the bigger picture on what’s happening and what we can expect of this year’s harvest; and to Danna Wasserman, Relationship Coffee Manager at Sustainable Harvest to learn about some new and exciting coffees in our offer list!
Here’s a quick summary of what they shared with us:
- The 2024/2025 harvest is expected to be 10-15% smaller in volume than last year’s crop.
- The main crop kicked-off in September 2024 and is expected to continue throughout the rest of this month.
- Last year, the coffee processing sector faced challenges due to regulatory changes that led to delays. This season, we’re looking forward to a smoother flow from harvest to market.
- A few exciting offers from Kenya are coming your way!
________________________________________________
Volume and Quality Dynamics
This season, Kenya’s coffee production is expected to be 10-15% smaller in volume compared to the 2023/2024 harvest. Heavy rains in certain regions reduced flowering, which has led to the lower expected volumes.
The good news is that these same conditions have boosted quality, with premium grades (AA, AB, PB, and C) expected to make up around 80% of the total harvest. Thanks to the beneficial rains brought on by El Niño towards the end of 2023 and into early 2024, which provided optimal growing conditions for cherry development. The peak of the main crop cherry harvesting began in September 2024 and is anticipated to continue until the end of this month.
Last year, the coffee processing sector in Kenya faced some big challenges due to regulatory changes that led to delays in milling and auctions. This season, the licensing of additional mills has eased the pressure, allowing for a smoother flow from harvest to market. The milling sector now includes several new players, primarily regional mills owned by coffee unions, who are opening marketing opportunities through auction and direct sales channels.
Our 2024/2025 Offers from Kenya
This season we’d like to highlight a few Kenya groups that have recently started working with us! Danna, who is managing Sustainable Harvest’s East Africa purchasing, explains why she’s excited to see more offers from this country in our offer list, “There are so many wonderful direct estates and larger cooperatives that I have been buying from year on year. I can’t wait to connect more roasters to them, and to facilitate more connection with the groups.”
These new relationships will help us bring more Kenyan coffees your way, and we want to shine a light on a few of them, so you can start getting familiar with them:
- Gatagua Murang'a AA
The name Gatagua means "gathering" in Kikuyu, a local Bantu language, which reflects the spirit of the cooperative. It was formed when three cooperatives came together to create something special. For a long time, the farmers at Gatagua faced challenges with low yields and quality, but their dedication to good agricultural practices and sustainability has turned things around. They've managed to boost both their yields and quality, moving from 85 to 87 to 88+ cup score, all while nearly quadrupling their overall production and being mindful of the environment.
- Kii AA
Meticulous sorting and processing define the Kii washing station! Located in Kirinyaga County, a region that is recognized for its incredible coffees, nestled at the foothills of Mt. Kenya, Kii takes its name from the nearby Kii River, which provides clean water for washing its exceptional Fully Washed coffees.
The washing station receives coffee from more than 850 members who greatly focus on ensuring the quality of their coffee and continuously look for ways to improve it, which is evident through its consistent, complex, and clean coffees!
- Kangocho
Established in 1985, this washing station located in the Karatina region has partnered with over 800 smallholder farmers, helping them thrive through collaboration and support through agronomical advice, welfare initiatives, including school fee loans and medical assistance, and sustainable farming training.
Their coffee perfectly showcases the dedication of the Kangocho producers and the attention through every step of the processing.
If you want to learn more about these groups or order some of their coffee to include in your menu, contact your Relationship Coffee Manager.
.png "SH Logo")
