The United States has reclaimed its spot as Kenya’s top coffee export market, overtaking Belgium as remote working and the need to save money are leading to an increase in coffee consumption in American homes.

Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) data show that the US purchased 10,844.1 tonnes of Kenyan coffee, worth Sh7.42 billion, during the season, accounting for 21.4 percent of the country’s total coffee export value.

Belgium, previously the leading market, bought 8,332.5 tonnes worth Sh7.62 billion, representing 16.44 percent of the total export value.

The shift comes as a survey from the US National Coffee Association showed 85 percent of the people in the country who said they drank coffee in the past day did it at home, the highest ⁠amount on that classification since 2012.

The survey also showed that among those declaring they drank coffee out-of-home, most said it was at their offices or in transit (drive-through), with a smaller part saying they walked into a coffee shop.

Hybrid lifestyles, with less commuting, and the economic pressure felt by part of the population are two major factors driving the increase in home consumption of coffee.

US coffee drinkers consume an average of 2.8 cups per day, resulting in more than 500 million cups of coffee served every day in the country.

The shifts coincided with Kenya’s coffee export earnings hitting a record Sh43.89 billion in the year to June 2025, a 9.9 percent increase from Sh39.95 billion the previous year, underlining coffee’s role as a key foreign exchange earner.

The change marks a significant recovery for the US market, which was Kenya’s biggest buyer in the year to June 2023.

Belgium's market was considerably smaller in 2023, purchasing 5,026 tonnes worth Sh3.91 billion, or 10.48 percent of the total coffee export value.

American buyers favour specialty and premium coffee, giving local exporters access to higher-value global market segments.

US buyers are building more direct links with Kenyan cooperatives and estates, which could reduce dependence on intermediaries in the supply chain.

The rise in US demand comes as Kenyan coffee faces competition from major producers such as Brazil, Colombia, Ethiopia and Honduras.

Kenya’s export growth was driven more by higher prices than by a big jump in output. Export volumes rose just three percent, from 49.2 million kilograms in 2023/24 to 50.68 million kilograms in 2024/25. Yet export earnings climbed nearly 10 percent.

Global coffee markets have seen increased volatility in the past two years, as poor weather hit output in several major producing countries.

The resulting supply shortages have pushed international prices to record highs, benefiting producers amid the fall in export volumes.

→ jwaweru@ke.nationmedia.com

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