Navigating The Challenges Facing The Kenyan Coffee

Kenya’s coffee sector, once a shining jewel in the nation’s agricultural crown, has faced severe challenges, with production dropping by 70% since the 1987/88 crop year, from 130,000 metric tons to 40,000 metric tons in 2020/21. Ranked 17th in world coffee production in the 2022/23 coffee year, Kenya held a market share of 0.43% with 724,610 (60kg) bags, exporting 47,861.85 tonnes valued at US$251.86 million. This decline raises important questions about the challenges threatening this vital industry. Below are realities that may surprise you

• Dominance, Manipulation, and the Plight of farmers.

Historically, Kenya’s coffee supply chain suffered from a lack of transparency and fair practices. A handful of large corporations dominated the value chain, wielding excessive control over pricing. This consolidation made it easy to manipulate coffee prices, often to the detriment of smallholder farmers who form the backbone of the industry. Consequently, farmers lacked incentives to invest in quality improvement and sustainable agricultural methods, hampering the sector’s growth.

• Reforming the System: Initial Disruptions.

In January 2023, the Kenyan government initiated comprehensive reforms to empower farmers and increase transparency. These reforms included transferring oversight of the Nairobi Coffee Exchange (NCE) to the Capital Markets Authority (CMA) and replacing private millers with licensed brokers. While promising for the long-term, these significant changes have initially caused disruption and uncertainty within the industry. The reforms have destabilized the market, leading to significant frustration among small-scale coffee producers. Many of these exporters/importers , affected by the sudden changes, have turned away from buying  coffee to protest and exert pressure on the governing bodies implementing these reforms.

• Climate Change: A Looming Threat.

​Rising temperatures and unpredictable weather patterns pose a severe challenge to Kenya’s ideal coffee-growing conditions. Erratic rainfall, increased pest and disease prevalence, and decreased yields are just a few consequences of climate change impacting the country’s coffee production. This unpredictability makes it difficult for farmers to plan and invest in their crops, jeopardizing future harvests. in the year 2023 Kenya was blessed with rain after a 5 year recurring drought. This has attributed to the increase in coffee production from ~40,000 metric tonnes to ~47,000 metric tonnes. The El Nino in 2024 has also shown good signs of an increased yield but it has also caused some damages in other areas. 

• The Aging Tree Dilemma.

Many Kenyan coffee farms rely on aging trees, some decades old, resulting in declining yields and overall production. Encouraging crop renewal programs and sustainable farming practices is crucial to ensure the long-term viability of the industry and maintain the high quality that roasters demand. Our farms had to go through a rigorous exercise of cycle change which means we had to get rid of old tree branches to sire younger branches. This affected our 2023/2024 yield but we are seeing a significant difference with the health of the trees and a gradual increase in yield in years to come. 

• Attracting a Younger Workforce.

As the current generation of coffee farmers ages with the average Kenyan farmer today calculated at 65 years of age, attracting and retaining young people in the sector remains a significant hurdle. Many Kenyan youth perceive agriculture as an unattractive career option, opting for opportunities in urban areas. This lack of a younger workforce not only threatens future production but also poses a risk to preserving traditional knowledge and practices essential for quality coffee cultivation. As Solai Coffee this has been one key area that we are focusing on to see how we can attract the youth back to the industry and not only on the farms. 

A Collective Effort for Sustainability

 Despite these formidable challenges, there is reason for optimism. The Kenyan government’s commitment to reform, coupled with initiatives by organizations like Fairtrade International, demonstrates a collective effort to create a more sustainable and equitable coffee industry. Roasters worldwide have a vested interest in supporting these efforts to secure the continued supply of exceptional Kenyan coffee beans. At Solai Coffee we are committed to calling out the injustices in the coffee value chain and educating roasters and consumers on ethical buying practices that can enable them to support the farmers directly to keep them in business and earn a descent lively hood.