By Aoma Keziah,
The Nairobi Coffee Exchange (NCE), in collaboration with Solidaridad, hosted a coffee cupping session aimed at connecting small-scale Kenyan coffee growers with local and international buyers, traders, and marketers. The event was designed to enhance transparency, efficiency, and access to profitable markets, showcased a wide range of specialty coffees produced across Kenya. This initiative is poised to contribute to the sustainable growth of Kenya’s coffee industry.
The cupping session featured coffees from various Kenyan regions, including those produced by small-scale farmers who have been trained in sustainable production practices under key initiatives such as the Pathways to Prosperity Coffee Project, funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, and the Traceable Organic Coffee from Kenya project, supported by the Danida Market Development Partnerships. Both projects are being implemented by Solidaridad in partnership with local and international stakeholders.
The event highlighted coffees certified under Rainforest Alliance, Fairtrade, and organic labels, demonstrating Kenyan farmers’ commitment to high-quality, sustainable coffee production. By showcasing these varieties, the session also emphasized the importance of sustainable farming practices in meeting global market demands for ethically sourced coffee.
Cupping, a critical process in the coffee industry, played a central role in the session. This practice allows for the evaluation of brewed coffee’s aroma, flavor, and overall quality, examining key attributes such as flavor notes, acidity, body, and balance. For farmers, cupping acts as an essential quality control tool; for roasters, it’s key to refining blends; and for buyers, it serves as an informed decision-making process for sourcing high-quality beans. The session offered a rare opportunity for farmers to better understand how their coffee’s quality directly influences pricing and market access.
Through its partnership with Solidaridad, the NCE is bridging the gap between small-scale farmers and global markets in regions such as the United States, Germany, and beyond. This collaboration enables thousands of Kenyan coffee farmers to participate in transparent coffee auctions, connecting them to a diverse network of roasters, retailers, and traders. Moreover, it provides farmers with the opportunity to benefit from Solidaridad’s expertise in sustainable farming practices, post-harvest processing, and quality control.
Solidaridad’s initiatives, including the training of farmers in best agricultural practices and the formation of farmer cooperatives, have proven essential in improving the position and bargaining power of farmers in the coffee value chain. These efforts help farmers secure better prices for their coffee while strengthening their ability to meet global sourcing standards.
According NCE, to date, Solidaridad has helped over 10,000 Kenyan farmers obtain certifications such as Rainforest Alliance, Fairtrade, and organic, promoting sustainable sourcing and social responsibility. The NCE cupping session also offered valuable market insights, including pricing trends, through Business-to-Business (B2B) forums. These insights are empowering farmers, enabling them to make informed decisions that enhance both the quality and profitability of their coffee.
With these collective efforts, the Nairobi Coffee Exchange and its partners reiterated that they are not only improving market access for Kenyan coffee farmers but also ensuring a sustainable future for the industry.
