A surge in demand from American buyers has lifted Kenya's coffee export earnings to their highest level in the first quarter of the year, with the United States buying more than twice the amount it imported during the same period last year.
The strong performance follows the renewal of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa), which has helped keep Kenya's access to the American market on stable ground.
Figures released by the Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) show Kenya earned $40.8 million, equivalent to Sh5.27 billion, from coffee exports to the United States between January and March. This marked a 101.2 percent increase from the $19.01 million, or Sh2.46 billion, earned in the corresponding period last year.
The rise in earnings was supported by higher export volumes and growing demand for Kenyan coffee in the American specialty market, further cementing the United States as the country's biggest destination for the crop.
During the three months, the United States accounted for 43.2 percent of Kenya's total coffee exports by volume, remaining well ahead of every other international market.
"The United States was Kenya’s leading coffee export destination by volume, accounting for 43.2 percent at 5,324.98 metric tonnes of the total exported. This reflects an increased penetration of the USA speciality coffee market," AFA said.
Coffee exports to the United States rose to 5,324.98 metric tonnes during the quarter compared to 2,645.98 metric tonnes shipped during the same period last year.
Germany emerged as the second-largest buyer after taking 13.8 percent of Kenya's export volumes. Japan followed with 6.1 percent, while the United Kingdom accounted for 5.95 percent and China took 5.12 percent.
The rise in exports came after Kenya's preferential trade arrangement under Agoa was renewed in February, allowing thousands of locally produced goods to continue entering the American market without import duty. The renewal also eased uncertainty that had worried exporters over the future of the trade deal.
While Kenyan coffee has continued to enjoy favourable tariff treatment in the United States over the years, the renewed trade arrangement helped maintain buyer confidence and encouraged longer-term supply agreements.
Coffee became Kenya's leading export to the United States last year after overtaking apparel, helped by rising demand for specialty coffee and stronger international prices.
The crop has continued to attract premium buyers as consumers in developed markets increasingly seek high-quality and traceable Arabica coffee.
Kenya is widely known for producing premium Arabica coffee, valued for its bright acidity, rich taste and consistent quality.
Most of the country's coffee is traded through the Nairobi Coffee Exchange, where international buyers compete for top grades supplied by cooperatives and estate farmers.
The United States remains among the world's largest specialty coffee markets, making it an important destination for Kenyan exporters seeking better prices.
American buyers have also built closer business ties with Kenyan cooperatives and coffee estates, reducing dependence on middlemen in parts of the supply chain.
Demand for Kenyan coffee has continued to grow despite stiff competition from leading coffee-producing countries including Brazil, Colombia, Ethiopia and Honduras.
International coffee markets have faced price swings over the past two years after poor weather affected production in several producing countries. Lower supplies pushed global coffee prices to record highs, raising export earnings for producing nations despite changes in shipment volumes.
Farmers in Kenya have also benefited from reforms aimed at improving returns and reducing delays in payments within the coffee marketing system.
Among the measures introduced by the government are policies to speed up payments to farmers while improving coffee trading and the management of cooperative societies.
The government is also working to increase coffee production after years of shrinking acreage caused by urbanisation, ageing coffee trees and changing land use.
Efforts to raise production include distributing improved seedlings, rehabilitating ageing coffee plantations and expanding extension services to support farmers across coffee-growing areas.