Vietnam’s coffee exports hit a record high, helping mountain farmers grow wealthier.

(Hanoi, Jan 5) Vietnam’s coffee industry has posted a record year, boosted by higher global coffee prices and improvements in domestic processing and quality. Export revenue surpassed US$8 billion, reaching roughly US$8.3 billion, marking a historic milestone and keeping Vietnam firmly in the No. 2 spot among global coffee exporters. Industry observers say the boom has also lifted incomes for many coffee farmers in mountainous regions.

Vietnam is widely known as a coffee culture hub, with cafés everywhere—from street stalls to trendy chains. Consumers can find everything from strong, bitter coffee brewed with a traditional metal drip filter (Phin) to modern favorites like coconut coffee, salted coffee, and specialty single-origin offerings. Coffee is deeply woven into everyday life.

Customs figures cited in reports show that in the first half of December, coffee exports totaled about 76,100 tonnes worth approximately US$401.6 million, rising sharply from the first half of November and also showing solid year-on-year growth. From early last year to mid-December, exports were estimated at around 1.48 million tonnes valued at about US$8.36 billion, with the value increase far outpacing volume growth—largely driven by higher export prices.

On the supply side, unfavorable weather in major producing regions—especially Brazil and Vietnam—tightened supply, while demand in key markets such as Europe and the U.S. stayed relatively steady. This combination supported strong prices and helped lift Vietnam’s export earnings.

Structurally, Robusta remains Vietnam’s dominant export variety and accounts for the largest share of export value. At the same time, processed coffee products have been gaining share, signaling a shift from volume-led exports to higher value-added products such as instant and roasted coffee. The trend has been supported by better domestic processing capacity and more effective use of free-trade agreements.

As the sector moves up the value chain, farmer incomes have risen. Vietnam has roughly 710,000 hectares of coffee plantations, concentrated in the Central Highlands. Reports describe higher profits for growers, improved wages for pickers during peak harvest, and growing investment by manufacturers in advanced equipment to raise quality and pricing power. In Hanoi’s old quarter, coffee specialty shops have multiplied as Vietnam’s coffee reputation grows and tourist demand increases—though competition is also intensifying.