Trading at the Nairobi Coffee Exchange (NCE) this week remained strong with 12, 762 bags of coffee fetching Ksh 847 million.

In the weekly auction conducted at Ukulima House, Nairobi, the average price stood at Ksh 53, 206.7 per 50-kilo bag of cherry.

Gakuyuini factory, which is part of Thirikwa Farmers’ Cooperative Society (FCS), fetched the best price after selling 10 bags of grade AA at Ksh 66, 219 per bag.

According to NCE, a total of 186 bags equivalent to 1.5pc of all volumes traded, fetched Ksh 64,415 and above per bag.

752 bags of grade AA that were bought for Ksh 59.6 million and 5,042 bags of grade AB for Ksh 346 million

In the category of brokers, Alliance Berries Ltd led the pack in both price and volume, selling a total of 4,929 bags at an average of Ksh 54,624 per bag.

New KPCU PLC held the second-largest market share with 1,679 bags translating to 13.6pc of total volume traded and attaining 13.7pc of value, maintaining a competitive average price of Ksh 53,437 with their highest price reaching Ksh 65,574.

KCCE Marketing Agency Limited captured 12.4 percent of both bags and value with 1,526 bags traded at an average price of Ksh 52,949.

The NCE reports further indicated that Kipkelion Broker Company Ltd stood out for achieving the second-highest average price at Sh53,593 despite controlling only 6.6pc (817 bags) of traded volume in the market.

Minnesota Coffee Marketers Limited held 6.3pc of the auctioned bags, but had the lowest average price at Ksh 50,501 and the widest price range from Ksh 5,560 to Ksh 59,777, indicating they dealt with a broader spectrum of coffee qualities from premium to lower-grade offerings.

In the dealer category, Ibero Kenya Ltd emerged as the clear market leader, purchasing 5,187 bags representing an impressive 41pc of the total volume traded at Ksh 340.4 million.

C. Dormans SEZ Ltd secured the second-largest position after spending Ksh 156.3 million to purchase 2,244 bags, accounting for 17.6pc of the total purchases.

Taylor Winch (Coffee) Limited followed with 1,908 bags, capturing 15pc of the market and Kenyacof Limited acquired 1,456 bags representing 11.4pc of total volume.

Louis Dreyfus Company rounded out the top five after purchasing 663 bags, comprising 5.2pc of purchases.

The five major dealers controlled 89.8pc of the entire auction volume, while Rockbern Coffee Group Ltd was the smallest participant, purchasing only 3 bags, representing just 0.02pc of total volume.