Overview
Vietnam is the world's second-largest coffee producer after Brazil, and in particular boasts the world's largest output of Robusta. Annual output reaches about 1.8 million tonnes, consistently ranking near the top of Vietnam's agricultural export value. Robusta has a high caffeine content and a strong bitterness, and is in demand worldwide as an ingredient for instant coffee and espresso blends.
Vietnam's coffee industry developed rapidly from the 1990s onward and now has a cultivation area of about 700,000 hectares. Export value reaches about US$3.5 billion a year, making it an important pillar of the Vietnamese economy.
Growing regions and areas
The main Robusta producing area is concentrated in the Central Highlands (Tay Nguyen) region. In particular, Dak Lak province is Vietnam's largest coffee producing area, accounting for about 30% of national output. Next, Gia Lai province、Dak Nong province、Lam Dong province、Kon Tum Province are the main producing areas. These regions are highlands at an altitude of 500 to 800 m, and the red basalt soil suits coffee cultivation.
Cultivation methods and harvest season
Robusta is grown in areas at an altitude of 300 to 800 m, with the first harvest coming three to four years after planting. The harvest season runs from October to the following February, with fully ripe red cherries harvested by hand or machine. In recent years, processing techniques for quality improvement such as the washed process and honey process have been spreading. The shift to sustainable cultivation methods, such as the development of irrigation facilities and the introduction of shade trees, is also advancing.
Exports and market trends
The main export destinations for Vietnamese Robusta coffee are the EU (Germany, Italy, Spain), the United States, and Japan. Export volume in 2023 was about 1.5 million tonnes, and export value reached about US$4 billion. With the global increase in coffee demand, prices are on an upward trend. In recent years, efforts to raise the added value of high-quality Robusta as 'specialty Robusta' are also being stepped up.
Connections with Japan
Japan is one of the important importers of Vietnamese coffee, importing about 80,000 tonnes a year. It is used mainly as an ingredient for instant coffee and canned coffee. There are no plant quarantine problems, and stable imports are carried out. Major Japanese beverage makers have also set up procurement bases in Vietnam and cooperate in strengthening quality-control systems.
