Coffee Production in Meru County
While less dominant than tea or Miraa, coffee farming is practiced in some parts of Meru County, particularly in the higher altitude areas suitable for Arabica coffee cultivation.
Geography and Suitability
Coffee grows in the Meru highlands at altitudes of 1,500-2,000 meters, where rainfall and temperature conditions are favorable. The areas suitable for coffee sometimes overlap with tea zones, leading to competition for land.
Cooperative System
Coffee farmers in Meru, like elsewhere in Kenya, are typically organized through coffee cooperatives affiliated with the Coffee Board of Kenya or independent marketing arrangements.
Cooperative Functions:
- Collection and hulling of coffee cherry
- Grading and quality control
- Marketing and sale through Kenyan coffee auctions
- Payment to members
Production Scale
Coffee remains a smaller sector than tea or miraa in Meru. Production is limited to particular microclimates and is often grown in rotation or intercropping with other crops.
Comparison with Kisii and Kikuyu Coffee
Meru coffee production is comparable to other high-altitude regions:
- Kisii Coffee: Gusii region produces coffee at similar volumes
- Kikuyu Coffee: Kikuyu-dominated regions (Nyeri, Murang'a, Kiambu) produce larger volumes of coffee
Meru represents a smaller segment of Kenya's coffee economy compared to traditional coffee regions.
Market Position
Meru coffee competes in:
- Domestic Market: Kenyan consumption of locally grown coffee
- Export Market: Kenya exports coffee internationally, and Meru coffee is included in export grades
Quality varies, but Meru coffees are generally respectable in Kenya's coffee market hierarchy.
Contemporary Status
Coffee farming in Meru continues but remains secondary to tea and miraa. Some farmers diversify into coffee for crop rotation or as a complement to tea. However, the crop lacks the economic importance of the other major agricultural sectors.
See Also
Sources: Kenya agricultural research