Vietnam Coffee Export Complete Guide (2021)

Import Export Your Product Directly No Mediator

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Table of Contents

I. Vietnamese Coffee Statistic

1. Vietnam is one of the largest coffee exporters in the entire world, ranked second just after Brazil. The country’s coffee export growth rate reached 8.2% per year with an average value of 3.13 billion USD/ year from 2011 to 2018 (VCC Group)

2. Vietnam’s coffee products are present in more than 80 nations and territories, accounting for 14.2% of the global coffee export market share.

3. Among the coffee produced, Vietnam exports about 95% of the total production (Move to Asia)

4. On average, more than 30 million bags of coffee/ year are exported to other countries, such as the US, Germany and Italy, from 2017 to 2022 (Statista).

5. In the first 4 months of 2022, coffee was among the five commodity groups with an export value reaching over US$1 billion (Vietnamnet).

6. Robusta is the main type of coffee exported to foreign countries, accounting for around 95% of Vietnam’s total coffee production. Meanwhile, Arabica coffee export in Vietnam accounts for 4%-5% of  the whole coffee production (Move to Asia).

7. In the first quarter of 2022, 529,200 tonnes of Robusta coffee were exported from Vietnam, bringing back US$1.05 billion, up 33.5% in volume and up 70.5% in value. 

Meanwhile, the exports of Arabica coffee amounted to 20,870 tonnes, worth US$94.24 million, declining 5.1% in volume and increasing 61.5% in value year on year (Vietnamnet).

9. Top 7 coffee brands in Vietnam: Starbucks, Highlands Coffee, The Coffee House, Phuc Long Coffee & Tea, Trung Nguyen, Gemini Coffee, Milano coffee (Helena Coffee)

II. Vietnamese Coffee Differences

Coffee in Vietnam and Western countries often tastes different. The difference depends on the type of coffee, the way it is brewed to make a cup of coffee that suits the taste of consumers in each country and drinking coffee culture.

1) The Type of Coffee Used 

Generally, Vietnamese people are used to drinking Robusta coffee, which is grown and used widely in the country. 

Meanwhile, Westerners prefer Arabica coffee, originating from the highlands of Ethiopia (Africa). 

2) Where are Arabica and Robusta Grown?

Arabica is the most popular coffee in the world, often grown in Latin American countries such as Brazil, Colombia, Tico, etc., or West Africa, India, and some regions in Indonesia.

Robusta is commonly grown in East and Central Africa, Southeast Asia, and parts of Brazil. Moreover, Vietnam is the world’s largest exporter of Robusta coffee, accounting for about 46%.

  • Differences between Arabica and Robusta 
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Size

Robusta beans are rounder, while Arabica is oval. Mature Arabica coffee trees are 2.5 – 4.5m tall, much lower than Robusta (4.5 – 6m). 

Taste

The taste of Robusta is bitter and stronger than Arabica’s taste. 

Arabica beans in the processing often have to go through fermentation, so they have a sour taste, and have a lower bitterness, “lighter”.

Caffeine content

Robusta has higher caffeine content. 

While Arabica contains only 0.8-1.4% caffeine, Robusta contains 1.7-4% caffeine.

Fat and sugar content 

Arabica contains more than 60% fat and almost twice as much sugar as Robusta. This factor is the major factor affecting the difference in the taste of the two types of coffee.

Price 

Robusta coffee is almost half cheaper than Arabica because it is easier to grow as well as requires less labor and care techniques. 

Robusta’s high caffeine content acts as a strong insecticide and antibacterial agent.

III. Differences in How to Brew Coffee

1) Vietnamese Coffee 

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In Vietnam, there is a traditional coffee filter commonly used to make coffee called “phin”, which is made of stainless steel or aluminium. 

Though the process may be slowed down by brewing coffee with a “phin”, it creates a strong and thick taste, which has a common taste with a thick caffeinated espresso.

Moreover, Vietnamese people who prefer a sweet taste often add sweet, condensed milk to coffee. They can taste hot coffee or drink coffee with ice for a cool taste.

2) Westerns Coffee

Unlike Vietnam, Westerners do not use filters, they use paper filters to make coffee. Instant coffee powder is also another option.

Regarding ingredients in coffee, they often use fresh milk, cream, and sugar to brew.

Depending on the ratio of milk, sugar, water, and cream, it will create a different type of coffee. That’s why we have coffee names such as Espresso, Latte, Cappuccino, Americano, Flat White, and Mocha.

3) Coffee Drinking Culture

The sophistication of Vietnamese coffee reflects a unique culture and style of coffee enjoyment belonging to Vietnamese people.

They have their style of enjoying coffee. Coffee is not considered a quick drink with anti-drowsy effects like Americans. Instead, the Vietnamese drinking culture of coffee is sipping and thinking. People can drink coffee while reading newspapers, listening to music, and chatting with friends or business partners. When working or thinking of life and people, they also sip coffee.

Also, Europe drinking coffee culture is not “coffee-to-go”. However, Europeans prefer luxurious, romantic cafes with Cappuccino or Espresso. 

In Europe, there are many cafes having beautiful and romantic settings with a strong coffee scent. They want to stay there working or chatting with friends.

Moreover, before hustling off to work, they prefer starting a day with a shot of espresso and a croissant at their favorite neighborhood café shop. In the later morning, enjoying a coffee break with a friend and relaxing on the terrace later in the morning is perfect for Europeans.

The Vietnamese coffee export market has been growing and attractive over the years. Also, coffee is one of the most beneficial agricultural products in Vietnam. 

Importing coffee from this country can bring back many opportunities to compete with other companies.  

If you are looking for the best suppliers of coffee in Vietnam, it is important to consider the price, quality control, and sourcing strategy.

Moreover, finding trustworthy producers and persuading them for contracts requires knowledge and experience in the Vietnamese market. 

VIEC will meet the above demands! 

With VIEC’s Sourcing, you can save lots of time and (10-30%) costs for the company because we have years of working in this field to deal with our customers’ problems while sourcing in Vietnam. Contact us now!

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