Kenya has taken another step in expanding its global coffee footprint after the country flagged off the first of 20 containers of premium green coffee beans destined for Italy, opening up fresh opportunities for local farmers and exporters.
The inaugural shipment, organised by Sumseron Coffee, departed from the Mitchell Cotts LC1 Warehouse in Syokimau, Nairobi, and is headed to Trieste Port in Italy, one of Europe’s key entry points for coffee imports.
The event brought together senior government officials and industry players, including Cooperatives Principal Secretary Patrick Kilemi, Trade Principal Secretary Regina Ombam, representatives from the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI), the New Kenya Planters Cooperative Union (New KPCU), the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS), Mitchell Cotts and development partners.
According to the Kenya Export Promotion and Branding Agency (Make It Kenya), the export deal was secured through business connections made during the World of Coffee Expo 2026 held in San Diego, United States.
The agency said the shipment demonstrates the importance of international trade exhibitions in linking Kenyan businesses with global buyers while strengthening the country’s position as a supplier of premium specialty coffee.
Kenyan coffee continues to enjoy strong demand in international markets because of its bright acidity, rich aroma and distinctive flavour profile, qualities that have earned it a reputation among some of the world’s finest coffees.
KNCCI President Dr Erick Rutto described the shipment as more than just an export consignment, saying it marks the beginning of a wider strategy to unlock high-value markets for Kenyan coffee.
“This isn’t just a single shipment. It is a gateway to massive economic opportunities for our coffee farmers and exporters,” he said.
According to Dr Rutto, Italy is Europe’s third-largest coffee consumer, with a market valued at about KES 500 billion, presenting significant opportunities for Kenyan exporters seeking premium buyers.
He added that the first shipment fetched more than USD 9.50 (about KES 1,230) per kilogram, reflecting the premium prices that Kenyan coffee can attract in specialty markets.
Beyond Italy, the move is expected to create a pathway for Kenyan coffee into the wider European Union market, which KNCCI estimates is worth more than KES 6 trillion.
Dr Rutto noted that the new market aligns with Kenya’s ambition of increasing annual coffee production from the current 50,000 tonnes to 150,000 tonnes by 2029, a target expected to boost farmers’ incomes and strengthen the country’s export earnings.
To prepare local producers for the expanding export opportunities, KNCCI says it has already trained 200 coffee cooperatives on fair pay practices, European market requirements and brand development. The chamber has also published a Sector-Wide Impact Assessment (SWIA) report to help exporters comply with international standards.
The chamber credited the achievement to collaboration between the government, private sector and international partners, saying stronger public-private partnerships will be critical in unlocking new markets for Kenyan products.
For Kenya’s coffee industry, the shipment represents more than a commercial transaction. It signals growing confidence in the country’s specialty coffee and reinforces ongoing efforts to position Kenya as a leading exporter of high-quality coffee to premium global markets.
