By Njeri Irungu,
January 16, 2026
Nairobi, Kenya.
Kenya has renewed its commitment to quality-driven growth, value addition, and market reforms in the coffee subsector, as government officials and industry stakeholders gathered at the Taste of Harvest Coffee Breakfast Meeting held at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC).
Speaking during the event, the Director General of the Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) congratulated the winners of the Taste of Harvest Coffee Competition, noting that their recognition reflects the resilience, excellence, and global competitiveness of Kenyan coffee producers. He emphasized that the competition has become a credible platform for promoting quality excellence while directly linking farmers to high-value specialty coffee markets.
The Director General lauded the strong partnership between AFA and the Africa Fine Coffees Association (AFCA), describing it as a model collaboration between public institutions and industry bodies. He noted that the Taste of Harvest Competition, held annually across AFCA member countries, uses internationally recognized Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) standards and protocols to grade entries, ensuring credibility and global acceptance.
Participation in this year’s competition rose significantly, with 100 samples submitted compared to 56 in the previous year. The increase was attributed to the decision to waive the USD 300 entry fee for non-AFCA members, a move aimed at widening participation and encouraging more producers to showcase their best coffees.
In line with government priorities, AFA outlined ongoing interventions aimed at boosting production, productivity, farmer incomes, and market access. These include the implementation of the Crops (Coffee) (General) Regulations, 2019 to strengthen governance and transparency; enhanced licensing and quality assurance frameworks; and the advancement of digitalization and traceability systems, including work towards a National Coffee Information System. The Authority also continues to collaborate closely with county governments, development partners, and the private sector to build capacity and improve efficiency across the coffee value chain.
Value addition, the Director General emphasized, remains central to the future of the subsector. He noted that Kenya must move beyond exporting green coffee to capturing greater value through specialty coffee, branding, local roasting, and market diversification—efforts that platforms such as Taste of Harvest actively support.
Echoing these sentiments, the Principal Secretary, State Department for Agriculture, reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to revitalizing the coffee subsector, which supports the livelihoods of more than six million Kenyans and involves approximately 800,000 smallholder farmers. While Kenya’s Arabica coffee is globally renowned for its distinctive flavour and consistency, the Principal Secretary noted that current production levels of 40,000 to 50,000 metric tonnes annually fall below the country’s potential.
To address this gap, the Government is prioritizing rehabilitation and replanting of aging coffee trees, promotion of climate-smart farming practices, improved access to quality inputs, and strengthened extension services. These interventions are aimed at increasing yields per tree and making coffee farming more profitable and attractive, particularly to the youth.
The Principal Secretary also highlighted ongoing institutional and market reforms designed to ensure farmers receive better prices, timely payments, and fair returns. He pointed to the importance of compliance with emerging global sustainability and traceability requirements, including the European Union Deforestation Regulation, noting that the Government is working closely with stakeholders to safeguard Kenya’s competitiveness in international markets.
Addressing the award winners, the Principal Secretary described them as ambassadors of Kenya’s coffee excellence, urging them to continue leading by example and inspiring quality-driven production across the value chain.
Both leaders concluded by reaffirming the Government’s full commitment to increasing production and productivity, promoting value addition, and strengthening market systems. Through sustained partnerships with AFCA, AFA, farmers, and the private sector, they expressed confidence that Kenyan coffee will reclaim and sustain its premium position on the global stage.