Yearly Archives: 2025

The African Fine Coffees Association (AFCA) Conference 2025, held at the Julius Nyerere International Conference Center (JNICC) in Tanzania, brought together key players in the global coffee industry. This prestigious event served as a platform for discussing coffee production, trade opportunities, and policies shaping the future of African coffee. Among the distinguished participants was the National Coffee Cooperative Union (NACCU), which played a vital role in showcasing the excellence of Kenyan coffee and advocating for the interests of smallholder farmers and cooperative societies.

Kenyan Coffee Stands Out at the Trade Fair

One of the major highlights of the conference was the African Coffee Trade Fair (ACT 2025), where Kenyan farms and cooperative societies ranked among the top performers. The trade fair featured 30 top-ranking Kenyan farms and cooperative societies, reinforcing Kenya’s reputation as a producer of high-quality coffee highly valued by international buyers.

The ACT 2025 ranking results showcased the strong demand for Kenyan specialty coffee, with natural and organic processing methods standing out. Muhindi Farm (Natural) secured the top spot, followed by Sakami Coffee (AA-Natural Organic Honey) and New Joma Farm (AA). This performance demonstrated the growing preference for Kenyan AA, AB, and specialty coffee, particularly those processed using natural and organic methods.

By participating in the trade fair, NACCU facilitated direct interactions between Kenyan coffee farmers and international buyers from Japan, China, and Korea. This provided farmers with new market opportunities, allowing them to secure better pricing and long-term business relationships.

Advocating for Farmer-Friendly Policies

Beyond market engagement, NACCU played a crucial role in discussions on policies affecting Kenyan coffee farmers and cooperatives. These policy dialogues, attended by industry leaders, government officials, and global stakeholders, focused on key challenges and opportunities in the coffee sector.

During the conference, NACCU emphasized the need for better financing for cooperatives, improved access to global markets, and investments in coffee processing infrastructure. Discussions also explored ways to enhance sustainability in coffee farming by encouraging eco-friendly processing techniques and certification programs.

By advocating for stronger policies that support coffee producers, NACCU reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that Kenyan coffee farmers receive fair prices and greater economic stability.

Strengthening the Cooperative Model

As a key representative of Kenyan coffee cooperatives, NACCU highlighted the importance of strengthening the cooperative model to empower smallholder farmers. Many of the top-ranking farms in ACT 2025 were either directly linked to cooperatives or benefited from cooperative-led initiatives in quality control, processing, and marketing.

Through cooperative structures, farmers gain greater bargaining power, improved access to training, and the ability to participate in high-value markets. NACCU’s presence at the conference reinforced the role of cooperatives in enhancing coffee quality, stabilizing farmer incomes, and reducing reliance on middlemen.

Looking Toward Future Opportunities

With the success of NACCU’s participation in the AFCA Conference 2025, the organization is focused on expanding its efforts in the coming years. The upcoming 3rd Edition of the African Coffee Trade Fair (ACT 2026) presents new opportunities for Kenyan cooperative societies to engage in direct trade and explore innovative coffee processing methods.

NACCU remains dedicated to supporting Kenyan coffee farmers by securing better markets, advocating for favorable policies, and promoting sustainable farming practices. As global demand for high-quality, traceable coffee continues to grow, NACCU’s efforts ensure that Kenyan coffee remains a preferred choice among international buyers.

By fostering strong partnerships and championing the interests of smallholder farmers, NACCU continues to be a driving force in elevating Kenya’s coffee industry on the global stage.

In a recent interview on KASS TV, Dr. Festus Bett, CEO of the National Coffee Cooperative Union (NACCU), discussed the current state of coffee farmers in Kenya, focusing on the Direct Settlement System (DSS) and its impact on coffee cooperatives.

The DSS, introduced to streamline payments to coffee farmers, ensures that proceeds from coffee sales are remitted directly to farmers’ accounts. This system aims to enhance transparency and reduce delays in payments, thereby empowering farmers economically. However, its implementation has faced challenges, including delays in settlements and concerns over licensing practices within the coffee sector.

Dr. Bett highlighted that while the DSS has the potential to benefit farmers, issues such as the licensing of commercial millers affiliated with buyers contravene existing regulations. He cited instances where county governments have issued permits to entities linked to buyers, undermining the integrity of the DSS. For example, in Kiambu County, licenses were granted to Sasini Plc Millers and Kofinaf Company Limited, both associated with licensed buyers, which violates the Crops (Coffee) (General) Regulations 2019.

NACCU has called for government intervention to address these licensing anomalies and ensure that the DSS operates as intended. The union seeks the suspension of coffee buying licenses and activities of the implicated entities pending an inquiry into the licensing process. Despite these challenges, there have been positive developments in the sector. Kipkelion District Cooperative Union (KDCU), a member of NACCU, successfully executed a direct sale of 134.4 metric tons of coffee to South Korea, valued at USD 908,160. This milestone demonstrates the potential for cooperatives to engage directly with international buyers, thereby securing better prices for their produce. Such direct sales empower farmers by reducing reliance on traditional auction systems and eliminating intermediaries who have historically controlled prices.

Dr. Festus Bett emphasized the need for continued reforms in the coffee sector to protect farmers’ interests. He called for strict enforcement of regulations to prevent conflicts of interest and ensure that licensing processes are transparent and fair. Additionally, he advocated for capacity building among coffee cooperatives to enable them to engage directly with international markets, thus enhancing their bargaining power and profitability.

In conclusion, while the DSS presents an opportunity to improve the livelihoods of coffee farmers in Kenya, its success depends on addressing existing challenges and ensuring that all stakeholders adhere to established regulations.

NACCU remains committed to advocating for the rights of coffee farmers and supporting initiatives that promote transparency, fairness, and economic empowerment within the sector.