Kenya Launches National Coffee Flavor Map Project

Posted on October 28, 2026 by Qahwa World

Author: Qahwa World – Nairobi
Source: Kenya Coffee Flavor Map Press Release
Date: October 28, 2026

Kenya Launches National Coffee Flavor Map Project

Executive Summary

Kenya’s coffee producers, cooperatives, researchers, and sensory professionals are building a national coffee flavor atlas.
The project will analyze approximately 500 samples from 34 coffee-growing counties.
Organizers aim to recruit 300 Kenyan and international cuppers to participate.
The launch event takes place from November 14 to 16, 2026, at Shamba Events Centre in Loresho, Nairobi.
Professional blind sensory evaluations will be held on November 15 and 16.
The findings will be made freely available, with a full atlas planned for 2027.
Applications are free with no fixed deadline. The project is presented by the Government of Kenya, the Coffee Board of Kenya, and the FAO, in partnership with the Kenya Coffee Platform and UNIDO.

Kenya has launched an ambitious project to document the diverse flavors of its coffee. The Kenya Coffee Flavor Map brings together producers, cooperatives, researchers, and sensory professionals from across the country.

The initiative aims to build a national coffee flavor atlas. It will draw on approximately 500 samples collected from 34 coffee-growing counties. The project is recruiting both Kenyan and international cuppers to help with the analysis.

The goal is to bring together 300 participants. Together, they will document the relationships between flavor, regional origins, cultivated varieties, and production practices. The findings will be made freely available to the public.

Event Details and Program

The main gathering will take place from November 14 to 16, 2026, at the Shamba Events Centre in Loresho, Nairobi. Professional blind sensory evaluations will be held on November 15 and 16.

The Flavor Map is the central sensory project within the Kenya Coffee Flavor & Origin Expo. Across all three days, the Expo’s exhibition and trade area will feature stands for Kenyan producers, cooperatives, coffee brands, and local entrepreneurs. These stands will connect them with international buyers, roasters, equipment suppliers, and other industry partners.

Running alongside the Expo, Creative Coffee Week will add public cupping sessions, barista demonstrations, and cultural activities. Visitors will also have opportunities to explore Kenya’s coffee origins.

The Expo is presented by the Government of Kenya, the Coffee Board of Kenya, and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Kenya. Partners include the Kenya Coffee Platform and UNIDO. Sponsors and supporters include the Nairobi Coffee Exchange (NCE), Ecotact, Bideli Roasters, and Torch Coffee. Creative Coffee Events and Coffee Magazine are media and organizing partners.

On November 14, the Kenya Coffee Origin Conference will bring together academics, scientists, producers, baristas, roasters, and entrepreneurs. The educational program will connect the Flavor Map’s investigation of regional coffee identities with questions facing the entire value chain. Sessions will cover topics such as regenerative agriculture, women in coffee, and international marketing. Practical demonstrations will cover biochar and vermicomposting.

The welcome session and the Flavor Map introduction on November 14 are free to attend. Other sessions in the accompanying program are ticketed.

Table 1: Key Facts at a Glance

Item	Detail
Event Dates	November 14-16, 2026
Venue	Shamba Events Centre, Loresho, Nairobi
Samples	Approximately 500 from 34 counties
Target Cuppers	300 Kenyan and international participants
Evaluation Dates	November 15-16, 2026
Atlas Publication	Planned for 2027
Application	Free, no fixed deadline

Methodology and the 2027 Atlas

Kenyan scientists, researchers, producers, and technical professionals will work alongside Kenyan and international cuppers. They will connect sensory observations with geographic, environmental, and production data.

Each coffee will be evaluated blind by multiple cuppers. Standardized preparation and blind evaluation will ensure consistency. The combined records will inform the atlas. Further methodological details are available in the official project handbook.

The resulting atlas, planned for publication in 2027, will combine regional profiles, visual maps, and a sensory database. The map and supporting information are intended to be freely available for download and use. This will support producers, cooperatives, buyers, roasters, researchers, educators, and consumers.

The atlas can also support marketing as a form of education. It will give producers, roasters, and cafes information to explain regional differences, production practices, and the people behind Kenyan coffee to buyers and consumers.

Marty Pollack, co-founder of Torch Coffee, explains the philosophy behind the project. “Kenyan professionals are the hosts,” he says. “International cuppers bring their own experience and have a chance to learn from the people who know these coffees at source. That is how new relationships start.”

Torch Coffee’s Kenyan operation is the project’s technical partner. The company has worked with Kenyan professionals and research institutions since 2023. It reports training more than 15,000 students across its international network.

The framework builds on four annual editions of Torch’s Yunnan Coffee Flavor Map in China, from 2021 to 2024. The 2023 edition brought together 760 Q Graders who profiled more than 23,000 cups. That project produced downloadable regional flavor maps, demonstrating how collective sensory evaluation can generate practical references for producers, buyers, and educators.

Kenya’s Growing Domestic Coffee Culture

Kenya’s commercial coffee industry grew under British colonial rule within an export-oriented production system. The Flavor Map builds on Kenyan research and regional knowledge to document a diversity of coffees beyond the country’s best-known origins.

The Ministry of Agriculture’s Coffee Development and Marketing Strategy 2024-2029 reports that about 95% of Kenyan coffee was exported in green form in 2020/21. Imported instant coffee has also been part of the domestic market.

Over the past decade, Kenyan roasters, cafe owners, trainers, and baristas have helped more people experience locally grown coffee at home. The Agriculture and Food Authority recorded an increase in coffee shops from 231 in 2019 to 791 in 2023.

“Our cafes are full of people who would have ordered tea ten years ago,” says Ritesh Doshi, owner and CEO of Nairobi-based Spring Valley Coffee. “When coffee is roasted, branded and served in Kenya, the jobs, the skills and the margin stay in Kenya.”

Edwin Wanjiru, a Kenyan coffee professional and Q Grader, adds: “Coffee is part of Kenya’s identity, rooted in our land, our people, and generations of hard work. That is changing as more Kenyans discover, prepare and share the coffees we grow.”

Call for Cuppers and Exhibitors

Professional cuppers are invited to apply free of charge through the official application form. Selection considers professional experience and geographic representation. Selected participants will join the sensory evaluations on November 15 and 16.

Applicants may qualify through recognized sensory or cupping credentials, national cupper certification, Cup of Excellence jury experience, or at least two years of hands-on professional cupping experience.

Exhibitors are also invited. Producers, cooperatives, coffee brands, equipment manufacturers, service providers, and international roasters can contact [email protected]. Priority is given to producer cooperatives, county-level grower groups, and smallholder organizations.

Visitors can contact the organizing team for information on public activities, conference access, and tickets. International participants should consult the Kenya Travel Brief for accommodation and transport information.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Kenya Coffee Flavor Map?

It is a national project to document the diverse flavors of Kenyan coffee through sensory evaluation and data collection, creating a publicly available atlas.

When and where does the event take place?

November 14-16, 2026, at Shamba Events Centre, Loresho, Nairobi.

How many samples and cuppers are involved?

About 500 samples from 34 counties. Organizers aim to recruit 300 Kenyan and international cuppers.

Is there a cost to participate?

Applications for cuppers are free with no fixed deadline. The welcome session and Flavor Map introduction on November 14 are free to attend. Other sessions are ticketed.

When will the atlas be published?

The full atlas is planned for publication in 2027 and will be freely available.

Who is organizing the project?

The Expo is presented by the Government of Kenya, the Coffee Board of Kenya, and the FAO in Kenya, in partnership with the Kenya Coffee Platform and UNIDO. Torch Coffee is the technical partner.

Author: Qahwa World – Nairobi | Source: Kenya Coffee Flavor Map Press Release | Date: October 28, 2026

Kenya Coffee Production to Jump 12 Percent in 2026/27 on New Plantings and Better Crop Care

Posted on May 20, 2026May 20, 2026 by Qahwa World

Author: Qahwa World – Dubai
Source: USDA Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) Nairobi
Date: May 19, 2026

Executive Summary:

FAS Nairobi forecasts Kenya coffee production to reach 950,000 60 kg bags in MY 2026/27, a 12 percent increase over the previous estimate.
The growth is driven by new harvested area, improved crop care, and farmer reinvestment following two years of high prices.
Exports are expected to rise nearly 12 percent to 940,000 bags, while domestic consumption remains flat at 62,000 bags due to inflation and reduced urban coffee culture.
Kenya enacted a new Coffee Act in March 2026, transferring regulatory oversight from the Agriculture and Food Authority to the revived Coffee Board of Kenya.
The Coffee Research and Training Institute has been established as an independent body separate from KALRO.
Average coffee prices at the Nairobi Coffee Exchange fell to $268.77 per 50 kg bag in April 2026, a 28.4 percent drop from October 2025.
The United States remains Kenya’s top export destination with 17.2 percent market share, followed by Belgium and Germany.

Kenya’s coffee production is set for a steady recovery, with FAS Nairobi forecasting a 12 percent jump to 950,000 60 kilogram bags in the 2026/27 marketing year. The increase is attributed to new harvested area, improved crop care, and farmers’ ability to reinvest after two years of sustained high market prices. Growers now have the capital to apply more consistent fertilizer and control pests and diseases that often limit yields.

Coffee farms in the key Mount Kenya region flowered robustly following the severe drought that lasted until March 2026. The harvested area is projected to increase marginally to 106,000 hectares as recent plantings mature. Exports are expected to reach 940,000 bags, while domestic consumption is likely to remain flat at 62,000 bags due to reduced purchasing power and disruption of urban coffee culture.

Coffee Expansion Program and Regulatory Changes

Kenya is pursuing an aggressive coffee expansion program across the Central, Eastern, and Rift Valley regions. The initiative is being channeled through the New Kenya Planters Cooperative Union, which uses a government supported revolving fund to provide farmers with saplings and fertilizers. Several county governments have also launched localized grant programs to help farmers offset expansion costs.

The expansion has tested the country’s capacity to produce planting materials. The Coffee Research Institute faces a massive backlog despite efforts to ramp up production. In March 2026, Kenya enacted a new Coffee Act that transfers regulatory oversight from the Agriculture and Food Authority to the revived Coffee Board of Kenya. The law also establishes an independent Coffee Research and Training Institute, separate from the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization.

The new law codifies several reforms that have been ongoing since 2022, including the reorganization of the Nairobi Coffee Exchange and the establishment of the Direct Settlement System, a digital payment platform enabling direct, transparent, and faster payments from buyers to coffee farmers. Licensed brokers now handle coffee classification, sale catalogues, and both auction and direct sales. Licensing of coffee millers has moved from the Agriculture and Food Authority to county governments.

Production and Area Trends

Indicator	MY 2024/25	MY 2025/26	MY 2026/27 (Forecast)
Area harvested (1000 HA)	105	105	106
Total production (1000 bags)	950	850	950
Bean exports (1000 bags)	923	800	900
Domestic consumption (1000 bags)	58	62	62
Ending stocks (1000 bags)	74	97	120

Over most of the last decade, peri-urban coffee growing areas underwent systematic uprooting to make way for residential housing, driven by demand for urban expansion. This trend was particularly rampant around Nairobi, Thika, Kiambu, and Nyeri. In the last two years, the trend has slowed due to significant stagnation in the real estate market. However, without a clear land use policy to safeguard arable land, analysts see this as a temporary reprieve that could reverse if coffee market prices slump.

Marketing and Price Trends

Roughly 80 percent of Kenya coffee is sold through producer cooperatives, with the remainder managed by corporate and individual estates. The Nairobi Coffee Exchange, a spot market founded in 1935, facilitates over 95 percent of coffee sales. Other transactions occur through direct contracts between producer agents and exporters. The Capital Markets Authority has licensed 16 coffee brokers for the exchange, of which eleven are farmer owned cooperatives or unions. Fifteen brokers actively traded during the 2025/26 season.

Average coffee prices at the exchange surged since MY 2024/25 due to tight global supply. This situation is expected to correct due to a projected two percent increase in global coffee production for 2025/26. In April 2026, the average price fell to $268.77 per 50 kg bag, marking a 28.4 percent drop from $375.24 in October 2025. The exchange trades in US dollars, and the Kenyan shilling’s stability at roughly 129 shillings per dollar has been key in keeping local producer returns steady.

Export Destinations and Trade Shifts

Destination	MY 2022/23 (MT)	MY 2023/24 (MT)	MY 2024/25 (MT)	Market Share 2024/25
United States	12,253	8,122	9,737	17.2%
Belgium	4,021	7,445	8,763	15.5%
Germany	9,741	7,609	7,173	12.7%
Netherlands	2,475	1,831	2,937	5.2%
France	193	268	2,826	5.0%
South Korea	3,085	2,492	2,817	5.0%

The United States remains Kenya’s dominant coffee export destination with 17.2 percent market share, recovering from a sharp decline in MY 2023/24. Belgium has shown consistent growth, doubling its volume over three years from 4,021 metric tons to 8,763 metric tons. France and Canada have followed rapid expansion paths. Germany, once holding nearly 18 percent of the market, has seen its volume erode to 7,173 metric tons or 12.7 percent. Sweden experienced a dramatic downturn from 9.5 percent market share to just 4.0 percent.

Kenya has launched traceability mechanisms to comply with the European Union Deforestation Regulation. Larger export firms must meet these requirements by December 30, 2026, while smaller enterprises have until June 30, 2027.

Domestic Consumption and Tourism Impact

Domestic coffee consumption is projected to plateau at 62,000 bags in MY 2026/27. Intense inflationary pressures are straining purchasing power, making coffee less accessible to average households. The proliferation of coffee houses and service outlets in Nairobi and other major cities has lost momentum. This decline is largely tied to the departure of several major non-governmental organizations and the withdrawal of key donor operations. These organizations historically supported the urban middle class and expatriate communities that formed the backbone of the high-end coffee market. Their exit has left a void in demand.

Kenya’s tourism industry, a primary driver of coffee consumption through tourist hotels and lodges, is facing a slowdown due to rising travel costs for local and international visitors. This downturn supports the outlook for a stagnant domestic coffee market.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. How much will Kenya’s coffee production increase in 2026/27?

FAS Nairobi forecasts a 12 percent increase to 950,000 60 kilogram bags, driven by new harvested area and improved crop care.

2. What is the new Coffee Act of 2026?

The new law transfers regulatory oversight from the Agriculture and Food Authority to the revived Coffee Board of Kenya and establishes an independent Coffee Research and Training Institute.

3. Why is domestic coffee consumption flat?

Inflation is reducing purchasing power, urban coffee house expansion has slowed due to NGO departures, and the tourism industry is facing a slowdown.

4. Which country is Kenya’s top coffee export destination?

The United States remains the top destination with 17.2 percent market share, followed by Belgium at 15.5 percent and Germany at 12.7 percent.

5. How have coffee prices at the Nairobi Coffee Exchange changed?

Prices fell to $268.77 per 50 kg bag in April 2026, a 28.4 percent drop from $375.24 in October 2025, due to increased global supply expectations.

6. What is the Direct Settlement System?

It is a digital payment platform established under the new Coffee Act that enables direct, transparent, and faster payments from buyers to coffee farmers.

Qahwa World – Based on USDA FAS Coffee Annual report KE2026-0011 by Kennedy Gitonga, approved by Damian Ferrese.
Published: May 19, 2026

John Seroney: The Real Cost is Farm Mapping and Digital Registration

Posted on May 16, 2026May 15, 2026 by Qahwa World

Kenya – Ali Azakary | Qahwa World

On May 4, the European Commission published its “simplification” package for the Deforestation Regulation. Some saw it as genuine relief. Others called it cosmetic.

Qahwa World continues its interview series with industry experts. After Dr. Steffen Schwarz from Germany, Kim Thompson from Dubai, and Burke Campbell from Honduras, our fourth guest is John Seroney.

John is a Kenyan coffee entrepreneur, global trade advocate, and sustainability leader. As Founder and CEO of Sumseron Coffee, he has built a purpose-driven specialty coffee enterprise connecting smallholder farmers and cooperatives in Kenya directly to international markets while championing sustainable and inclusive coffee trade. Under his leadership, Sumseron Coffee has expanded across Africa, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and North America. John is internationally recognized for his voice on global coffee policy, sustainability, and traceability, and has worked closely with farmers, cooperatives, women, and youth in agriculture to create sustainable economic empowerment at origin. His vision is to build globally respected African coffee brands that empower farmers, transform communities, and create sustainable impact from farm to cup.

Here is what he said.

What is your overall take on the EU simplification decision? Does it truly reduce the burden, or is it mostly cosmetic?

John Seroney: Overall, the EU simplification package is a positive step, but I would say it only partially reduces the burden. The administrative clarification helps, especially for operators already investing in traceability systems, but the core compliance requirements remain very demanding for producing countries.

The real challenge is not paperwork alone. It is the cost of farm mapping, farmer registration, digital traceability, satellite verification, and continuous monitoring across fragmented smallholder systems. For many African coffee origins, implementation is still expensive and technically challenging.

Who benefits the most from this simplification in your opinion?

John Seroney: In my opinion, the biggest beneficiaries are larger companies and well-organized supply chains that already have compliance infrastructure in place. Multinational traders and larger exporters can adapt faster because they have resources, technology partners, and direct compliance teams.

Small producers may benefit indirectly in the long term if they are integrated into organized value chains, but many still face financial and technical barriers. Low-risk countries also gain some operational advantage, although maintaining geolocation requirements means compliance pressure still exists.

Soluble coffee is now fully covered, after being excluded before. How do you see this affecting coffee traders and roasters worldwide?

John Seroney: The inclusion of soluble coffee is very significant. It closes an important loophole and means that all parts of the coffee industry will now be expected to demonstrate traceability and deforestation-free sourcing.

This will increase pressure on traders, roasters, and soluble manufacturers to strengthen supply chain transparency. It could also reshape sourcing behavior, with buyers prioritizing origins and exporters that can provide verified traceability data consistently.

Is the global coffee supply chain truly ready for the December 30, 2026 deadline? If not, which part of the industry will take the biggest hit?

John Seroney: Honestly, I do not believe the global coffee supply chain is fully ready yet, especially among smallholder-driven origins in Africa and parts of Asia.

While some exporters and cooperatives have made strong progress, many farmers still lack proper digital records, polygon mapping, or awareness of EUDR requirements. The biggest impact will likely fall on smallholder farmers, small exporters, and smaller cooperatives that may struggle with compliance costs and technical capacity.

Without financial support, training, and practical implementation partnerships from buyers and governments, there is a real risk that smaller producers could be excluded from the European market despite producing high-quality coffee sustainably for generations.

At the same time, EUDR can become an opportunity if implemented collaboratively. It has the potential to strengthen transparency, improve farm-level data systems, and reward sustainable coffee production, but only if origin countries are treated as true partners in the transition process.