Growing Coffee (Arabica) in Mombasa

Soil suitability analysis based on Mombasa's nutrient profile

Mombasa County is a challenging environment for Coffee (Arabica) (soil-match score 0/100) and will need significant amendment before planting. At an average pH of 6.24 the soil sits above Coffee (Arabica)'s preferred 5–6 range, which can limit uptake of phosphorus and micronutrients. The main gap is nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium — measured at N 0.95 g/kg, P 8.4 mg/kg, K 136 mg/kg against this crop's high/medium/high demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing those deficits. Coffee (Arabica) prefers loam soils, while Mombasa is largely sandy, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. At 50 m, the county sits below Coffee (Arabica)'s preferred altitude range (1300–2200 m), which limits yield potential due to heat stress. At current prices (about KES 120/kg) and a typical 800 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Coffee (Arabica) crop here can gross roughly KES 96,000 per acre.