Vietnam Coffee Exports Reach 1.1 Million Tonnes in First Half of 2026
Vietnam exported an estimated 1.1 million tonnes of coffee during the first half of 2026, maintaining strong shipment activity despite a substantial decline in average export prices. According to figures reported by the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, the January–June total was valued at approximately USD 4.78 billion.
Export volume increased by 9.7% compared with the same period of 2025, while export earnings declined by 14.4%. The contrasting movements show that Vietnam shipped more coffee but generated less revenue as international prices moved below the exceptional levels recorded during 2024 and 2025.
The average export price was reported at approximately USD 4,435 per tonne, down 22% year on year. Because the headline volume and value figures are preliminary estimates rounded for reporting purposes, the average price should be interpreted using the officially reported figure rather than calculated mechanically from the rounded totals.
The 1.1 million-tonne figure is a preliminary first-half estimate
The headline total is based on the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment’s early assessment of agricultural exports for the first six months of 2026. Preliminary estimates are commonly released before every customs declaration and shipment record has been completely consolidated.
Later customs-based figures may therefore differ slightly in volume, value or growth rate. Differences can result from the timing of customs clearance, revisions to declarations, the treatment of late June shipments and the exact product codes included in the calculation.
For buyers and market participants, the distinction between preliminary and final data is important. The estimate provides a timely picture of export activity, while final customs records offer more detailed information about destinations, product classifications and shipment values.
The broad conclusion remains unchanged: Vietnam exported more than one million tonnes of coffee in the first half of 2026, but lower unit prices reduced the total value earned from those shipments.
Higher volume did not translate into higher revenue
The first-half result illustrates the difference between export volume and export value. Volume measures the physical quantity of coffee shipped, while value reflects both quantity and the prices declared for those exports.
A 9.7% increase in volume would normally support higher earnings if average prices remained stable. In this period, however, the decline in unit value was significantly larger than the growth in physical shipments.
As a result, coffee export revenue fell to approximately USD 4.78 billion even though more coffee left Vietnam than during the same period of the previous year.
This pattern is commercially significant because exporters, producers and service providers cannot evaluate performance only by counting tonnes. Margins, financing requirements and farm-level income also depend on the prices achieved, purchasing costs and contract structures.
Average export prices moved below the 2024–2025 highs
Vietnamese coffee benefited from unusually strong international prices during 2024 and much of 2025. Tight Robusta availability, weather concerns, low inventories and strong demand helped support historically elevated physical and futures markets.
By the first half of 2026, expectations of improving supply had begun to place greater pressure on prices. Buyers also became more cautious after the previous period of rapid increases.
The reported 22% year-on-year fall in Vietnam’s average export price indicates a meaningful adjustment rather than a minor monthly fluctuation.
Lower prices can improve purchasing conditions for some international buyers, but they may also create new risks. Exporters holding high-cost inventory can face margin pressure, while farmers may delay sales if domestic prices fall below their expectations.
Vietnam remained a major source of global Robusta supply
Vietnam’s coffee exports remain dominated by Robusta, which is widely used in espresso blends, commercial roasted coffee, soluble-coffee production and formulated beverages.
The increase in first-half export volume therefore contributed additional Robusta availability to the international market at a time when buyers were reassessing supply expectations from Vietnam, Brazil and other producing countries.
Vietnam also exports Arabica, Fine Robusta, specialty-oriented lots, roasted coffee, ground products and soluble coffee. However, national export totals should not be interpreted as an indication that every product category increased at the same rate.
Availability differs by variety, quality, processing method, supplier and origin. Buyers should confirm the actual commercial lot rather than assume that strong national shipment figures guarantee immediate availability of a particular specification.
Germany, Italy and the United States remained leading markets
Germany, Italy and the United States continued to rank among Vietnam’s largest coffee export destinations during the reporting period.
Germany accounted for approximately 14.1% of coffee export value, while Italy represented about 7.9% and the United States approximately 6.9%.
The position of Germany and Italy reflects the importance of Vietnam to Europe’s importing and roasting industries. Vietnamese Robusta is used in commercial blends, espresso products, soluble manufacturing and industrial applications across the region.
The United States represents a broad market that includes importers, national and regional roasters, soluble-coffee businesses, food manufacturers, distributors and private-label brands.
Lower overall export earnings do not necessarily mean physical demand disappeared in these markets. The decline can also reflect lower contract prices and changes in the value of comparable shipment volumes.
China provided a notable source of market growth
China was one of the strongest-performing destinations for Vietnamese coffee during the first half of 2026, with reported export value increasing by approximately 70.7%.
The market is important not only for traditional green-coffee trade but also for roasted products, soluble coffee, ready-to-drink concepts, café chains and branded consumer formats.
Growing Chinese demand can create opportunities for Vietnamese suppliers because of geographic proximity, regional logistics and the ability to serve several product segments.
However, strong percentage growth should be interpreted alongside the starting value, product mix and individual shipment structure. A rapidly growing market may still remain smaller than long-established European destinations.
Exporters seeking to develop China should also evaluate product registration, labelling, distribution, consumer preferences and the requirements of the selected importer rather than relying only on national growth figures.
Large shipment totals do not describe individual coffee availability
The 1.1 million-tonne figure is a national aggregate covering coffee exported by many companies under different contracts and product specifications.
It does not represent a single available stock that buyers can purchase. A substantial part of the volume may already have been committed through earlier contracts, shipped from existing inventories or allocated to established customers.
Commercial availability must therefore be evaluated according to supplier, origin, crop period, warehouse position, grade, screen size, processing method and shipment schedule.
Buyers can review relevant Vietnamese coffee origins to understand how regional production structures, varieties and processing capabilities may correspond with their requirements.
A high-volume export period can also reduce remaining inventory before the next harvest, particularly for specific grades or well-prepared lots.
The result has different implications for buyers and exporters
For international buyers, stronger shipment volumes and lower average prices may indicate improved access to Vietnamese coffee compared with the tightest stages of the previous market cycle.
This does not mean every buyer will receive a proportionate price reduction. Physical differentials, quality premiums, processing costs, packaging, financing and freight remain part of the final commercial price.
For exporters, the decline in average prices can create pressure where coffee was purchased domestically at a higher cost or where contracts were signed before the market adjustment.
Exporters must manage inventory values, payment schedules, foreign-exchange exposure and the risk that market prices change between purchasing, processing and shipment.
Companies with controlled inventory, reliable supplier relationships and diversified product formats may be better positioned to manage a lower-price environment than businesses competing only through spot green-coffee sales.
Farm-level effects may emerge after export prices adjust
Vietnamese coffee is produced largely by smallholder farmers, especially across the Central Highlands. Changes in export prices can eventually influence domestic purchasing prices and producer selling decisions.
The relationship is not immediate or perfectly proportional. Domestic prices are also affected by local inventory, exporter demand, crop timing, exchange rates, futures markets and competition among buyers.
Farmers who benefited from high prices in previous seasons may be reluctant to sell rapidly when prices decline. This can temporarily limit physical availability even when international market indicators suggest greater supply.
Lower prices can also affect the capacity of producers to invest in fertiliser, irrigation, labour, farm renovation and traceability systems for the following crop.
Long-term supply stability therefore depends not only on export tonnage but also on whether production remains economically viable for the farms supplying the market.
Exporters face greater pressure to compete through value
When average prices fall, increasing shipment volume alone may not protect revenue or profitability. Vietnamese coffee companies may need to improve the value generated from each tonne exported.
Potential strategies include stronger quality control, more consistent grading, differentiated origins, improved processing, Fine Robusta programmes, specialty Arabica, roasting, soluble manufacturing and private-label production.
Value addition does not mean every exporter must move completely away from bulk green coffee. Large-volume Robusta remains an essential part of Vietnam’s global position.
The objective is to match products with markets that recognise their commercial function and to reduce dependence on undifferentiated price competition where possible.
Exporters must also ensure that claims about quality, sustainability, origin or traceability are supported by records and are connected to the coffee actually supplied.
Processed coffee can diversify export revenue
Vietnam has significant capacity in roasted coffee and soluble-coffee manufacturing. Processed products can create different revenue opportunities from those available through green-coffee exports.
Spray-dried, freeze-dried and agglomerated soluble coffee serve industrial buyers, retail brands, vending systems and beverage manufacturers. Roasted and ground products can be supplied in bulk or under private-label programmes.
Processed coffee also involves additional costs and requirements, including product development, energy, ingredients, packaging, laboratory control, shelf-life testing, labelling and destination-market approval.
Higher processing does not automatically guarantee higher margins. Commercial success depends on scale, efficiency, product positioning, buyer demand and the ability to meet technical specifications consistently.
For professional buyers, Vietnam’s manufacturing capabilities create opportunities to source both raw material and finished products from the same country, but each project must be evaluated independently.
Quality remains important in a lower-price market
Lower average export prices do not remove the need for measurable quality specifications. Buyers should continue to define moisture, defects, screen distribution, processing, sensory profile and packaging requirements.
A cheaper lot can become more expensive if it creates roasting inconsistency, excessive sorting loss, poor extraction, customer complaints or production interruptions.
Similarly, suppliers should not assume that greater national export volume allows substitutions between lots without buyer approval.
Structured quality and compliance procedures can connect sample approval, product specifications, laboratory testing and shipment inspection with the commercial contract.
In a declining market, clear specifications are also important for price comparison. Quotations based on different quality levels cannot be compared only by their cost per tonne.
Contract structures require careful review
Rapid price changes can expose weaknesses in contracts that do not clearly define pricing periods, differentials, quality, quantity, shipment timing and replacement procedures.
Some coffee contracts use fixed prices, while others refer to futures markets plus or minus a physical differential. Each method distributes market risk differently between buyer and seller.
A fixed-price contract can protect both parties after agreement, but it may appear expensive or inexpensive if the market changes significantly before shipment.
Differential-based contracts maintain a connection with the futures market, but the fixing process and final deadline must be clearly understood.
Buyers and exporters should also define tolerances for quantity, quality, shipment dates, documentary discrepancies and force-majeure events.
Freight and currency continue to affect delivered cost
The average export price reported at the national level does not represent the buyer’s final delivered cost.
Ocean freight, insurance, inland transport, port charges, inspection, financing and import expenses can materially affect the total cost after the coffee leaves Vietnam.
Currency movements also influence negotiations. Vietnamese suppliers may purchase coffee in đồng, quote in US dollars and sell to buyers whose revenue is generated in euros or another currency.
A decline in the coffee price can therefore be partly offset by higher logistics or adverse exchange-rate movements.
Commercial comparisons should use the same Incoterm, destination, shipment period and included services rather than comparing an FOB quotation with a CIF or delivered offer.
Export preparation must remain connected to the actual shipment
Strong first-half trade volumes place pressure on warehouses, processors, ports, container planning and documentation teams.
Each export lot should remain connected to the purchase order, approved specification, packing list, invoice, certificate of origin, quality records and bill of lading.
Where inspection, phytosanitary documents, weight certificates or destination-specific records are required, these should be identified before cargo preparation.
Viet Coffee Source can coordinate relevant discussions with selected partners through its export preparation support.
Last-minute changes to the supplier, lot, quantity or container can create documentation and traceability inconsistencies even when the replacement coffee appears commercially similar.
EUDR preparation remains relevant despite lower prices
European buyers must consider regulatory requirements independently from short-term market prices. A cheaper coffee lot is not commercially suitable if the buyer cannot obtain the information required for its due-diligence procedure.
EUDR-related information may include producer identities, farm and plot records, geolocation, production periods, legality evidence, supply-chain mapping and a documented connection between the source coffee and the export shipment.
Higher national export volumes do not mean every Vietnamese lot carries the same traceability information. Data availability differs among suppliers, producer groups, origins and crop periods.
Buyers intending to place coffee on the European market should identify their traceability requirements before selecting and approving a commercial lot.
Price negotiations, sample approval and EUDR preparation should be coordinated rather than treated as unrelated activities after the contract has been concluded.
Market diversification can reduce dependence on a few destinations
Germany, Italy and the United States remain highly important markets, but rapid growth in China demonstrates the potential value of broader destination coverage.
Vietnamese suppliers are also pursuing opportunities in Japan, South Korea, India, the Middle East, Latin America and other Asian markets.
Different markets require different products. Some may prioritise bulk Robusta, while others demand soluble coffee, retail packaging, specialty lots, traditional Vietnamese products or customised private-label programmes.
Market diversification can reduce reliance on one region, but it also increases the need for destination-specific knowledge, language support, regulatory preparation and reliable distribution partners.
Exporters should evaluate sustainable long-term demand rather than treating a temporary increase in one market as a guarantee of permanent growth.
Second-half performance will depend on both volume and price
Vietnam’s full-year coffee export result will depend on the balance between remaining inventory, new-crop expectations, international demand and price movements during the second half of 2026.
Strong first-half shipments may mean that less old-crop coffee remains available before the next harvest. However, improved production expectations can support confidence in future supply.
Weather in the Central Highlands remains a critical variable. Rainfall, flowering, fruit development and harvest conditions can change the outlook before the new crop is fully available.
Brazilian production and exports, global inventories, currency movements and activity on Arabica and Robusta futures markets will also influence Vietnamese prices.
For this reason, the first-half result should be viewed as an important checkpoint rather than a complete forecast for the calendar year.
Buyers should monitor final customs data
Preliminary ministry figures provide an early view of export performance, but detailed customs data can offer a more precise picture after declarations are consolidated.
Final records may show differences in total quantity, value, destination shares and monthly shipment figures.
Buyers should also distinguish calendar-year exports from coffee-crop-year exports. Vietnam’s crop year generally begins in October, while the first-half figures in this report cover January through June.
Combining the two time periods without clarification can lead to incorrect assumptions about production, remaining stocks and export pace.
Market analysis should therefore identify the reporting period, data source, publication date and whether figures are estimates or final records.
The result confirms Vietnam’s continued global importance
Exporting approximately 1.1 million tonnes in six months demonstrates the scale and responsiveness of Vietnam’s coffee supply chain.
The country remains capable of supplying large international roasters, soluble manufacturers, distributors and industrial buyers while also developing more differentiated products.
At the same time, the fall in export value shows that high shipment volume cannot be treated as the only measure of success.
Future competitiveness will increasingly depend on cost control, product consistency, processing capability, traceability, sustainability evidence and access to diversified markets.
The first-half figures therefore represent both a strong physical export result and a warning that Vietnam’s coffee industry must continue shifting from volume alone toward more resilient and higher-value commercial structures.
Professional buyers can use the data to refine sourcing plans
International buyers should interpret the first-half result according to their own product and contract requirements rather than expecting one national trend to apply equally to every transaction.
Companies planning purchases can review target quality, current inventory, shipment timing, destination costs, supplier traceability and whether the required product is linked to old-crop or new-crop availability.
Early inquiries are particularly useful when the buyer requires specific origins, strict physical limits, certified coffee, EUDR-related information, custom processing or private-label packaging.
Professional importers, roasters, distributors, manufacturers and brands seeking Vietnamese coffee can submit a wholesale inquiry with their required product, quality, volume, destination, packaging, shipment period and compliance needs.