Coffee farmers urged to embrace traceability to tap premium global markets
The conference is expected to provide a forum for stakeholders across the coffee ecosystem to discuss emerging trends, foster partnerships and explore opportunities to boost the region's position in the global coffee trade.
By Nicholas Waitathu
Kenyan coffee farmers will receive greater support from the government and industry players to improve production quality, adopt good agricultural practices and comply with international standards in a bid to strengthen their competitiveness in global markets.
Speaking during a media briefing ahead of the East Africa Coffee Markets Conference (EACMC) 2026 in Nairobi today, Principal Secretary for Cooperatives Patrick Kilemi said the coffee sector must adapt to evolving global market demands centred on traceability, sustainability and quality assurance.
Kilemi said farmers and cooperatives require stronger certification and compliance systems across the entire coffee value chain to maintain Kenya’s reputation for producing premium coffee and continue accessing lucrative international markets.
“Farmers can succeed in deepening their presence in the global market and thus continue earning premium prices if they agree to respond to the prevailing dynamics,” said Kilemi.
The briefing marked the official countdown to the East Africa Coffee Markets Conference 2026, scheduled for October, which is expected to bring together key players in the regional coffee industry to promote trade, investment, innovation, sustainability and market development.
The PS underscored the importance of regional integration, noting that East African countries stand to enhance their bargaining power, attract more investment and unlock new market opportunities by jointly positioning the region’s coffee as a premium global brand.
The conference is expected to provide a forum for stakeholders across the coffee ecosystem to discuss emerging trends, foster partnerships and explore opportunities to boost the region’s position in the global coffee trade.
Kilemi also called for increased participation of young people and women in the coffee sector through technology adoption, innovation and entrepreneurship, saying this would help address succession challenges and nurture a new generation of farmers and agribusiness leaders.
“Cooperatives remain the backbone of the coffee value chain, serving hundreds of thousands of smallholder farmers across the country. Government is undertaking reforms focused on improving governance, strengthening farmer representation, enhancing transparency in marketing systems, and ensuring farmers receive a fair share of returns from their produce,” he said.
Founder of the East Africa School of Coffee, Raphael Prime, stressed the need for a farmer-centred approach to revitalise the industry. He urged the government to increase investment in farm inputs and shorten the period farmers wait to receive payments for delivered coffee.
“We also need targeted government investment in the form of farm inputs as well as the reduction in time for payment for coffee delivered. This will be the ultimate game changer for Kenyan coffee production,” Prime said.
EACMC Chief Executive Officer Bernadette Murgor described the conference as a strategic platform aimed at connecting producers, cooperatives, exporters, buyers and investors through meaningful business opportunities.
“East Africa Coffee Markets Conference 2026 is more than a conference; it is a strategic market access platform designed to connect producers, cooperatives, exporters, buyers and investors through meaningful business opportunities,” she said.
