Belgium knocks US off top spot in Kenyan coffee market
The US had been the largest buyer of Kenyan coffee in the previous 2022/23 season, when it purchased 11,228 tonnes worth Sh7.93 billion and commanded a 23.41 percent share of the country’s exports.
Belgium has overtaken the United States to become the leading market for Kenyan coffee exports in the 2023/24 crop year, highlighting new opportunities for local traders as demand for specialty coffee rises in Europe.
Fresh statistics show that Belgium imported 8,275.79 tonnes of coffee from Kenya valued at Sh7.42 billion, giving it a 16.82 percent share of the country’s total exports of the commodity.
This pushed the US to second place after it bought 7,917.13 tonnes worth Sh6.68 billion, representing 16.09 percent of Kenya’s exports during the season.
The US had been the largest buyer of Kenyan coffee in the previous 2022/23 season, when it purchased 11,228 tonnes worth Sh7.93 billion and commanded a 23.41 percent share of the country’s exports.
Belgium, in contrast, imported only 5,026 tonnes worth Sh3.91 billion in that period, translating to a 10.48 percent market share.
The turnaround has been linked to growing coffee consumption in Belgium, especially specialty blends, and targeted promotional drives spearheaded by the Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) and the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs.
AFA noted that these joint initiatives have been crucial in expanding Kenya’s footprint in the European market.
“Kenyan coffee was exported to 59 international destinations. The leading export markets during this period were Belgium (17 percent), the United States (16 percent), and Germany (11 percent),” said the regulator.
“Notably, the growth in export volumes to Belgium is attributed to targeted market promotion efforts undertaken by the AFA in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs. These outcomes underscore the importance of strategic public-sector engagement in market development and export promotion.”
The shift comes at a critical time when Kenyan exporters are bracing for challenges in the American market, where a 10 percent tariff on coffee imports is set to take effect on August 1, 2025, following a directive by President Donald Trump.
Overall, Kenya’s coffee exports in 2023/24 increased by 1,242.09 tonnes, climbing from 47,957 tonnes worth Sh32.52 billion in 2022/23 to 49,199.09 tonnes valued at Sh37.82 billion.
Sales at the Nairobi Coffee Exchange surged by 27.5 percent during the year, with 41,617 tonnes sold at auction compared to 32,652 tonnes previously.
In contrast, direct sales dropped by 29.6 percent to 6,583 tonnes from 9,350 tonnes a year earlier, reflecting shifts in regulatory frameworks governing the trade.
Kenyan coffee, prized globally for its unique flavour, continues to draw interest from roasters and blenders across major international markets.
