As part of its efforts to improve farmers’ market access, Solidaridad has helped over 10,000 farmers obtain certifications such as Rainforest Alliance, Fairtrade, and organic, promoting sustainable sourcing and social responsibility.
The NGO that hosted a Coffee Cupping Session in conjunction with the Nairobi Coffee Exchange at a Nairobi hotel on Friday, said the important certifications have helped Kenyan coffee farmers gain access to lucrative markets for their produce.
Solidaridad Country Manager Hellen Wangui said, that for farmers, cupping serves as a quality control tool while for roasters, it’s an essential step in refining blends and for buyers, it supports informed sourcing decisions.
She said such sessions facilitate direct linkages between growers and coffee buyers/traders, and help farmers understand the link between the quality of their beans and prices.
“By providing market insights and pricing trends through Business-to-Business (B2B) forums like the NCE cupping session, Solidaridad is strengthening farmers’ bargaining power, empowering them to make informed decisions, ultimately enhancing both the quality and profitability of coffee. compliance standards, promoting environmental,” she said.
Wangui said through its partnership with Solidaridad and other sector actors, the Nairobi Coffee Exchange(NCE) is helping small-scale coffee farmers gain access to profitable markets in the United States and Europe.
“This collaboration bridges the gap between growers and buyers, connecting thousands of farmers to a diverse network of roasters, retailers, and traders,” she said.
She noted that more farmers will be able to participate in transparent and efficient coffee auctions while also benefiting from Solidaridad’s comprehensive support in sustainable farming practices, post-harvest processing, and quality control.
NCE’s Managing Director Lisper Ndungu said coffee farmers continue to face growing challenges – from market volatility and limited access to global buyers to inadequate support systems and changing climate patterns and the greatest concern so far has been the EUDR.
She said NCE’s focus and that of the partners should remain firmly on enabling coffee growers to thrive in a competitive global market.
“By fostering transparency, promoting value addition, and enhancing farmer empowerment, we can unlock the full potential of Kenyan coffee and secure its place as a global leader in quality and sustainability,” Ndung'u said.
She said the workshop came at a crucial juncture, noting as they deliberate, their focus must remain firmly on enabling coffee growers to thrive in a competitive global market.
"Supporting market access is no longer optional; it is an imperative. By fostering transparency, promoting value addition, and enhancing farmer empowerment, we can unlock the full potential of Kenyan coffee and secure its place as a global leader in quality and sustainability," she said.
"I urge all participants to engage openly, contribute insights, and collaborate in shaping the roadmap for the future. Together, we can innovate, adapt, and overcome barriers to build an inclusive and prosperous coffee industry".
