As a major coffee exporter, Vietnam is striving to enhance the global recognition and value of its coffee. In recent years, the Vietnamese coffee industry has been actively developing specialty Robusta coffee, aiming to establish a more premium brand image in the international market.

Current State of the Specialty Coffee Market

Trinh Duc Minh, Chairman of the Buon Ma Thuot Coffee Association, points out that Vietnam’s entry into the specialty coffee sector is relatively recent, having begun only about a decade ago. Currently, specialty coffee accounts for approximately 2% of the global coffee market, while Vietnam’s specialty coffee production represents less than 1% of its total coffee output. In contrast, specialty Arabica coffee can command prices up to $500 per kilogram worldwide, highlighting the immense market potential for specialty coffee.

Vietnam’s Strategy for Specialty Coffee Development

Minh states that while Vietnam is developing specialty coffee from both Arabica and Robusta varieties, there is a stronger focus on Robusta. This emphasis stems from Vietnam’s position as a leading global producer and exporter of Robusta coffee, coupled with the predominant domestic consumption of Robusta.

Challenges in Specialty Coffee Production

Vu Mang Xien, Director of the Yadea Fair Agricultural Service Cooperative in Dak Lak Province, elucidates the complexities of specialty coffee production. The cooperative manages 400 hectares of coffee plantations, but only one hectare is dedicated to specialty coffee, yielding about one ton annually. Xien emphasizes that producing specialty coffee demands exacting standards across all stages, from cultivation and harvesting to processing, to create distinctive coffee flavors.

International Recognition of Vietnamese Specialty Robusta

Le Duc Huy, General Manager of Simexco Dak Lak, asserts that Vietnam is on the right path in developing its national brand of Robusta coffee. Vietnamese specialty Robusta has achieved high scores of 86-87 points in evaluations by the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA). Furthermore, at the World of Coffee event held in Copenhagen, Denmark, in June 2024, the Vietnamese Robusta coffee booth garnered significant attention from coffee roasters, signaling positive market reception.

Key Takeaways:

• Vietnam is working to establish specialty Robusta coffee as a national brand product.
• The Vietnamese specialty coffee market is nascent but shows enormous growth potential.
• Specialty coffee production is complex, demanding high standards and resulting in lower yields.
• Vietnamese specialty Robusta coffee has gained recognition in international markets.
• Developing specialty coffee is expected to enhance the value and reputation of Vietnamese coffee globally.

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