Coffee harvested in Buon Ma Thuot city, the Central Highlands province of Dak Lak (Photo: VNA)

The Vietnamese coffee industry made a distinct impression in the first two months of this year, with export turnover rising by 26.2% year-on-year to 1.58 billion USD while volume falling by 28.4% to 284,000 tonnes, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment.

This achievement not only affirms Vietnam's position in the global coffee market but also opens bright prospects for exceeding the 6 billion USD target this year.

The rise of “brown gold”

February 2025 was particularly notable when Vietnam exported over 193,000 tonnes of coffee, bringing in 1.08 billion USD – a record figure within a single month. Of this, green coffee beans accounted for the majority with over 178,000 tonnes while processed one contributed nearly 15,000 tonnes.

One of the key factors helping the coffee industry achieve remarkable results was the surge in export prices. The ministry’s report showed that the average coffee price in the January - February reached 5,574.5 USD per tonne, up 76.3% compared to the same period in 2024. In February alone, this figure rose to 5,596 USD per tonne, an all-time record high.

Chairman of the Vietnam Coffee – Cocoa Association (VICOFA) Nguyen Nam Hai said that high prices helped the coffee industry bring in 1.08 billion USD in February 2025 alone, exceeding all expectations.

The sector’s value growth came not only from green coffee which brought home 956.58 million USD, up 107% from the same month last year, but also from contributions by deeply processed coffee. In the month, roasted, instant, and blended coffee were sold abroad at over 123 million USD, making up 11.4% of the total value, indicating a trend towards value-added products that helps elevate the position of Vietnamese “brown gold” internationally.

Germany, Italy, and Japan remained the largest consumer markets, accounting for 16.6%, 9.4%, and 8.2% of market share, respectively. Compared to the same period last year, export value in January 2025 to Germany increased by 53%, to Italy by 5.6%, and to Japan by 10.4%, demonstrating the stable appeal of Vietnamese coffee in traditional markets.

Hai noted that coffee has become a “hot” commodity on world trading floors, attracting significant investor interest. He elaborated that the price difference between Robusta and Arabica coffee is currently about 3,000 USD per tonne. When Arabica prices rise high, roasters will switch to Robusta - the variety in which Vietnam is the global leader.

Challenges and opportunities from global market

The Ministry of Industry and Trade’s Agency of Foreign Trade said La Niña may replace El Niño in 2025, affecting coffee-growing regions in Brazil - the world's largest exporting country. The risk of frost in Brazil could reduce production for the 2025-2026 crop year to its lowest level in three years, creating opportunities for Vietnam to strengthen its position.

However, Hai believes that although Brazil's coffee production will decrease from July 2025, it will not have great impacts, and the market still needs to be closely monitored.

To deliver on the export target of over 6 billion USD, the domestic coffee sector needs to maintain its stable cultivation areas and improve quality according to international standards, hai said, adding businesses need to link purchasing with deep processing while diversifying markets to avoid dependence on a few major partners. Additionally, capitalising on the leading position in Robusta coffee, which accounts for 95% of Vietnam's production, will be key to maintaining growth momentum.

Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Phung Duc Tien held that with current growth rate, the industry is able to complete its set target in 2025.

The strong growth in export value in the first two months of the year is evidence of the industry's potential, he said, underscoring the need to continue investing in processing technology, expanding markets, and responding flexibly to global fluctuations.

The ministry is working with VICOFA and enterprises to develop a long-term strategy aimed at sustainable development and improvement in the value of the Vietnamese coffee brand, he added./.