Background on the Coffee Auction
Kenya’s coffee auction is one of the most structured and transparent in the world. Managed by the Nairobi Coffee Exchange (NCE), it operates weekly (Tuesdays) and sells green coffee -- coffee that has been milled and graded. Each lot is identified by the cooperative or factory that produced it, the grade (like AA, AB, or PB), and the marketer (exporter) handling the sale. This is where you can be assured you are buying single origin, so make sure you have access to these details when buying!
The auction is open to licensed buyers (often exporters or large traders), and each lot is cupped and priced competitively in an open bidding environment. Prices are publicly recorded in US Dollars by the 50kg bag. This provides a unique layer of pricing transparency not found in most origins.
This auction system allows cooperatives to receive direct market feedback on the value of their coffee, and it gives roasters like you a data point for understanding how price, quality, and market demand are moving week to week.
Accessing Auction Data
Despite the vast amount of data generated by Kenya’s coffee auction, it typically remains in the hands of buyers, exporters, and marketers. Unlike the stock market, there’s no public index or dashboard for others to follow. That’s where Origin comes in — giving you access to real pricing data that helps you buy smarter, compare lots, and tell more informed stories to your customers.
1. CSC's Origin Platform - Access in the Coffee Sales Tab
Once logged into Origin, you’ll see a searchable auction data table: cooperative name, grade, date, and price per kilogram in KES. We’ve included a preview below.
2. On Profiles Pages for Cooperatives or Factories
If a cooperative or factory has sold through auction, you’ll see available pricing data on their profile — and if you're logged into Origin, expanded detail is visible. This includes auction price history, weather overlays, and seasonality trends.
How to Use Auction Data for Your Business
Spot Trends & Compare to the C Price
Track price movement over time for AA, AB, and PB grades, and compare against the global C market to understand how specialty lots are holding value — or rising.
This insight is available to Origin users only
Only a few roasters currently access live Kenyan auction data. Join them and stay ahead.
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