Kenya’s finest coffees shine at Nairobi Taste of Harvest 2026

By Sandra Neddy

Kenyan coffee farmers are celebrating a major quality milestone after Kenyan coffee emerged top at the recently concluded Taste of Harvest Coffee Quality Competition in Nairobi, cementing Kenya’s reputation as a producer of world-class specialty coffee.

Organized by the African Fine Coffees Association (AFCA) in partnership with the Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA), the national competition attracted a total of 100 coffee samples, up from the 56 samples which were submitted last year for rigorous evaluation by panels of local and international judges. The increase was largely attributed to the waiver of entry fees by USD 300, a move sponsored by AFA, thereby encouraging more submissions from coffee estates and societies across coffee-growing regions.

Ten winning samples were selected across four categories with Kofinaf Co. Ltd taking top honours in the Washed category, Gachiku Estate leading the Naturals category, Ngacha Estate excelling in the Honey Processed category, and Mt Elgon Slopes Coffee topping the Experimental category. These winners will now represent Kenya at the regional Taste of Harvest competition in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in early February, competing against the best coffees from other African producing countries.

Speaking at a celebratory breakfast event for winners and stakeholders in the coffee sector, AFA Director General Dr Bruno Linyiru lauded the producers whose coffees stood out for their complexity, clarity, and balance. “The outstanding quality exhibited by Kenyan coffees in this year’s competition highlights not only the skill of our farmers but also the value of quality-driven production in securing premium markets globally,” he said.

What Is the Taste of Harvest Competition?
The Taste of Harvest competition is an annual coffee quality competition organized by AFCA across its member countries in Africa. According to AFCA, the programme is designed to identify, celebrate and promote the best coffees produced in Africa, while linking producers directly to specialty buyers.

National competitions are held in participating countries, after which winning coffees advance to regional and continental platforms. Coffees are evaluated using the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) scoring system, ensuring transparency, consistency and international credibility.

Beyond recognition, winning lots are showcased at major coffee events, trade fairs and online auctions thereby giving farmers and estates exposure to premium markets which are willing to pay higher prices for quality.

What This Means for Kenyan Coffee Farmers

For Kenyan farmers, success at Taste of Harvest goes beyond trophies. It creates direct market visibility, strengthens bargaining power and encourages a shift from volume-based production to quality-driven farming which can significantly improve incomes.

The competition also promotes innovation in processing methods, traceability and post-harvest handling thereby tackling areas which are increasingly demanded by international buyers. By rewarding excellence, the competition helps farmers align their practices with global specialty standards while preserving Kenya’s distinctive coffee profile.

As Kenya seeks to revitalize its coffee industry, the good performance at the Taste of Harvest Coffee Quality Competition signals both confidence and opportunity. With continued support, market access and quality incentives, Kenyan coffee producers are well positioned to strengthen their presence in global markets and secure better returns for their coffee.