Where is most coffee grown in Kenya?
The major coffee-growing regions in Kenya are the high plateaus around Mount Kenya, the Aberdare Range, Kisii, Nyanza, Bungoma, Nakuru, Kericho and to a smaller scale in Machakos and Taita hills in Eastern and coast provinces respectively. .
Where coffee is grown in Kenya?
Coffee is grown on the highlands west of Rift Valley in Nakuru, Nandi, Kipkelion, Trans Nzoia and Baringo . The soils in the Rift Valley are young volcanic soils and very fertile. In many places the lava is not yet covered by vegetation and is still visible.
Is coffee farming profitable in Kenya?
According to Coffee Research Institute (CRI), a farmer can earn more than KSh 640,000 per acre per year. Assuming you have 10 acres, you will make more than 6.4 million per year.
Which county produces most coffee in Kenya?
Kiambu
In the 2018/2019 season, Kiambu was the leading county in coffee production in Kenya. Mostly, coffee produced in the county was concentrated in estate farms (around 8.6 million metric tons), against the approximately 1.1 million metric tons from co-operatives.
How many kgs can one coffee tree produce?
Currently, farms in the country produce 2- 3 Kgs per tree on average against a potential of over 30 Kgs per tree. There is need for farmers to improve productivity per unit area (Kgs per tree) so that they can increase their profit margin in relation to world prices.
Which is the best coffee variety in Kenya?
SL28 is the flagship of Kenyan coffee varieties. Buyers flock to Nyeri because of the exceptional cup quality and high-yield of the SL28. Scott Agricultural Laboratories selected the SL28 from the Tanganyika Drought Resistant variety in 1931 – a cultivar you can lead back to Bourbon variety.
How many kilos can a coffee tree produce?
Coffee trees yield an average of 2 to 4 kilos of cherries and a good picker can harvest 45 to 90 kilos of coffee cherry per day; this will produce nine to 18 kilos of coffee beans.
What does AA mean in coffee?
AA is a coffee grading term that refers to a specific, larger than normal, bean size. Kenya AA coffee beans, for example, pass through Grade 18 (18/64″ diameter) sieve perforations, but are too large to pass through Grade 16 (16/64″ diameter) sieve perforations. AA+ refers to coffee beans AA or larger.
Is coffee farming profitable?
Profitability in farming can also change year to year, based on the weather, disease/pest outbreaks, availability of labor, and many other factors. In short—it is complex, and there is no single model for profitable coffee farming.
What is the lifespan of a coffee tree?
While coffee plants can live up to 100 years, they are generally the most productive between the ages of 7 and 20. Proper care can maintain and even increase their output over the years, depending on the variety.
How much coffee is produced per acre?
One acre can produce optimally 0.75 ton. The average production is around 0.2 ton/acre.
Where is the best place to grow coffee in Kenya?
The major coffee-growing regions in Kenya are the high plateaus around Mt. Kenya, the Aberdare Range , Kisii, Nyanza , Bungoma, Nakuru, Kericho and to a smaller scale in Machakos and Taita. The acidic soil in highlands of central Kenya, just the right amount of sunlight and rainfall provide excellent conditions for growing coffee plants.
When did Coffee come to Kenya?
Overview of the Kenyan coffee industry Another reference claims the British introduced coffee growing into Kenya about 1900. While it may be widely known as a type of Kenya coffee, Kenya AA is actually a classification of coffee grown in Kenya.
How many people work in the coffee industry in Kenya?
Today around 250,000 Kenyans are employed in the production of coffee. Most are produced by small landholders that are members of cooperatives that process their own coffee. Still, even with this Kenya coffee’s specialty status Kenya coffee farmers still remain among the poorest in the world.
How is the grade of Kenyan coffee graded?
All Kenyan coffee is graded after it is milled. Grades are assigned based on the screen size of the bean. Beans with a screen size of 17 or 18 (17/64 or 18/64 of an inch) are assigned the grade AA, generally the largest bean.