How to Import Coffee from Vietnam: A Step-by-Step Process

A Comprehensive Guide to Import Coffee from Vietnam

Understanding the Conditions of the Vietnamese Coffee Market Before Importing

Vietnamese Coffee Import Costs

Importing coffee from Vietnam comes with its own set of costs. These can vary depending on several factors. The quantity of coffee you’re importing, the type of coffee, and the region from which you’re sourcing the coffee all play a role in the final cost.

Firstly, coffee is a price-sensitive commodity. The Covid-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on Vietnamese coffee imports, driving up coffee costs. Secondly, a major drop in global coffee production as a result of the July 2021 frost in Brazil is one of the factors driving up coffee prices globally, with Vietnam being no exception. Thirdly, another factor contributing to the high price of coffee is the increase in demand for coffee imports from Vietnam in Europe, the US, and other countries. In 2023, the situation of scarcity started from June, pushing domestic coffee prices higher. “Europe can almost only look to Vietnam to buy robusta coffee. Therefore, it is likely that coffee prices in Vietnam will continue to rise in 2024, even the highest in the world.

Vietnam Produces Coffee

Vietnam is one of the world’s leading producers of coffee. The country is known for its robusta coffee, which is used in many types of instant coffee and espresso.

Top Regions from Which Importers Can Source Coffee from Vietnam

Vietnam’s coffee-growing regions are primarily located in the central highlands. The provinces of Dak Lak, Lam Dong, and Gia Lai are among the top regions for coffee production.

Top Regions from Which Importers Can Source Coffee from Vietnam
  • In the Northwest, the two provinces that produce the most coffee in this area are Dien Bien and Son La. Because these two provinces have the largest Arabica coffee production areas in the nation and the terrain is comparable to Brazil’s Minas Gerais, and Sao Paulo, other nations can import Arabica coffee from Vietnam here.
  • Daklak is regarded as the premier Robusta region in the world. Daklak’s more than 200,000 hectares of coffee land produce half a million tons of Robusta annually, with fertile soil and an average elevation of 500–600 meters above sea level. More than 80 nations have already imported Robusta Dak Lak coffee to improve the flavor of espresso.
  • The coffee in Lam Dong, which is located in the Central Highlands’ basalt red soil region, is highly distinctive. The chilly environment is ideal for producing Arabica at an elevation of more than 1000 meters. Lam Dong produces roughly 40,000 tons of green Arabica beans annually on its 13,000 hectares of cultivable land.
  • Although Quang Tri has a long history of producing coffee, it is not yet well-known abroad. Quang Tri has concentrated on the quality of specialty coffees like Khe Sanh specialty coffee in recent years and increased production growth.

Types of Coffee Imported from Vietnam

Vietnamese coffee is typically imported in two varieties: robusta and arabica.

Robusta Coffee

Robusta Coffee in Vietnam

Robusta coffee is the main type of coffee produced in Vietnam. It is known for its strong flavor and high caffeine content. This variety of coffee is particularly resilient, making it well-suited for the various climates throughout Vietnam. The beans are often used in blends and are the backbone of many instant coffees and espressos due to their bold flavor and higher caffeine content compared to other varieties.

Arabica Coffee

Arabica Coffee in Vietnam

Arabica coffee is also produced in Vietnam, although in smaller quantities. It is known for its delicate flavor and lower caffeine content. Even though Arabica coffee only makes up 10% of Vietnamese exports, several nations still import this variety because it is particularly well-suited for growing in some areas and costs 5% less than coffee purchased on the international market. Additionally, Vietnamese Arabica coffee has unique qualities that give it a flavor that is unmatched by any other coffee. The beans are often grown in the highlands of Vietnam, where the climate and soil conditions create a unique flavor profile that is sought after by coffee connoisseurs worldwide.

Advantages of Importing Vietnamese Coffee

There are several advantages to importing Vietnamese coffee. These include competitive prices, high-quality products, and strong support from the government. Importing coffee from Vietnam brings importers a lot of benefits because coffee is a key agricultural product of Vietnam.

Advantages of Importing Vietnamese Coffee

>> Read more: A Comprehensive Guide to Import Coffee from Vietnam

Stable Output

Vietnam has particularly favorable natural conditions for growing coffee. The coffee growing areas are located at an altitude of 400-1500 meters above sea level, the temperature ranges from 15-26 degrees Celsius, and the rainfall and sunshine are suitable for coffee. The farming system is highly specialized because each region focuses on growing only one type of coffee. Therefore, Vietnam’s coffee output has always remained stable and is among the leading coffee producing countries in the world. This makes importing coffee from Vietnam much more convenient.

Competitive Price

The FOB price of Vietnamese coffee traded in the market is usually 5% lower than in the world. The market for importing coffee from Vietnam is mainly Germany, USA, Italy, Russia, etc. With such a long distance, the price of imported coffee from Vietnam is greatly affected by the logistics cost.

Tariff Incentives

Importing coffee from Vietnam becomes especially favorable for EU countries when the EU – Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) is implemented, eliminating taxes for unroasted or roasted coffee from 7-11% to 0%, and processed coffee from 9-12% to 0%. At the same time, among the 39 geographical indications of Vietnam that are committed to protecting by the EU when the EVFTA comes into effect, there are geographical indications on coffee. This is not the only advantage of Vietnam when exporting coffee, but also the advantage when other countries import coffee from Vietnam.

How to Import Vietnamese Coffee

How to Import Vietnamese Coffee

>> Read more: Complete Guide to Customs Procedures for Importing and Exporting Vietnamese Coffee

Looking for Vietnamese Coffee Exporters

In the digital age, there are many ways to import coffee from Vietnam. The Internet is the largest source of free search today. In addition, B2B e-commerce sites such as Alibaba, Amazon, and Freshdi.com can be valuable resources.

  • Alibaba: Alibaba is a global trading platform where you can connect with manufacturers, suppliers, and exporters from around the world, including those from Vietnam. It offers a wide range of products, including Vietnamese coffee.
  • Amazon: Amazon is one of the world’s largest online retailers. It also serves as a platform for businesses to sell their products, including Vietnamese coffee exporters.
  • Freshdi.com: Freshdi.com is the first B2B platform in Vietnam that connects buyers and sellers in the field of agriculture, forestry, and seafood. You can visit this site to search for top-rated Vietnamese coffee exporters at competitive prices.
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Freshdi

For new coffee importers from Vietnam, the intermediary import service is a perfect choice, because it will help the importer find a good source at a reasonable price.

Looking for Vietnamese Coffee Exporters

>> Read more: How to Find Wholesale Coffee Bean Suppliers in Vietnam

Price Negotiation

Before negotiating the price, importers need to find out in advance about the price of Vietnamese coffee, in order to come up with an appropriate price. In addition, importers can offer 15-20% discounts when buying coffee in bulk.

Samples Checking

For first-time customers, it is critical to ask for samples in order to check whether or not the coffee of these suppliers really gets quality as required.

Contract

When negotiating with wholesale coffee bean suppliers, a contract is essential. The contract should guarantee that the agreement is in both parties’ best interests and regards common law, and it should be double-checked before signing.

Payment

Based on the number of products, wholesale coffee bean suppliers will provide the best payment method. To guarantee that the products match the arranged requirements, it is recommended to divide the order value into two installments: before and after receiving the product.

Looking for Vietnamese Coffee Exporters

>> Read more: Comprehensive Guide to Procedures and Taxes for Coffee Export from Vietnam

Receive and Feedback Goods

When the products have arrived at destination ports, double-check that they meet the agreed-upon specifications. If not, call for wholesale coffee bean suppliers as soon as possible to discuss solutions.

Freshdi.com's Guide to Coffee Exportation

Freshdi.com's guide provides you with all the detailed information about the Vietnamese coffee industry, covering various topics from the import market and popular coffee varieties to price trends, finding exporters, and necessary considerations when exporting coffee from Vietnam. This guide helps you understand the Vietnamese coffee market, helping you succeed in trading with coffee suppliers in Vietnam.

Chapter 1: Comprehensive Overview of Vietnam’s Coffee Market Embark on a journey through Vietnam’s coffee export market, understanding its position, target markets, coffee types, cultivation areas, and more.

Chapter 2: Certified Vietnam Coffee Exporters List accredited by the Ministry of Industry and Trade - October 2023 Explore the list of coffee exporting enterprises that met the export conditions in 2022, as announced by the Ministry of Industry and Trade.

Chapter 3: Vietnam’s Top 10 Coffee Exporters (9 months 2022) Discover the top 10 coffee exporters in Vietnam, updated as of September 2022, and learn about their contributions to the global coffee industry.

Chapter 4: Top Vietnamese Coffee Suppliers: A Comprehensive Guide 2023 Uncover the leading Vietnamese coffee suppliers in our comprehensive guide, from sourcing to understanding the supply chain.

Chapter 5: How to Import Coffee from Vietnam: A Step-by-Step Process Learn how to import coffee from Vietnam, covering market conditions, coffee types, and the import process.

Chapter 6: How to Find Coffee Bean Suppliers in Vietnam Follow our step-by-step guide on how to find and connect with reliable coffee exporters in Vietnam for successful trade.

Chapter 7: Complete Guide to Customs Procedures for Importing and Exporting Vietnamese Coffee Navigate through the customs procedures for importing and exporting Vietnamese coffee, understanding the conditions, necessary documents, and more.

Chapter 8: Comprehensive Guide to Procedures and Taxes for Coffee Export from Vietnam Explore Vietnam’s coffee export procedures, taxes, and compare with other top coffee-exporting countries.

Chapter 9: Vietnam Rice Export: Top Types Of Coffee Exported Abroad Explore the various coffee bean types exported from Vietnam and learn how to choose the right one for your needs.

Chapter 10: Forecast for Vietnam’s 2024 Coffee Exports Get a glimpse of the future with a forecast for Vietnam’s coffee exports in 2024, including coffee prices and the potential impact on the global coffee market.

This guide provides a comprehensive understanding of the Vietnamese coffee market, from suppliers to exporters, and from import processes to future forecasts. It serves as a valuable resource for anyone interested in the Vietnamese coffee industry.

Conclusion

In conclusion, importing coffee from Vietnam offers numerous benefits, from the variety of high-quality Robusta and Arabica coffee to competitive prices and strong government support. Understanding the market conditions, knowing the top coffee-producing regions, and being aware of the import process are crucial for a successful business venture. This guide serves as a comprehensive resource for anyone interested in importing coffee from Vietnam, providing valuable insights and information to navigate the Vietnamese coffee market effectively. Happy coffee trading!