According to the latest data from Vietnam Customs, in May alone, the country exported nearly 149,000 tonnes of coffee worth USD 860 million, marking a year-on-year increase of 60.5 per cent in volume and more than double in value.
Despite a slight 0.6 per cent decline in export volume between January and May, export value surged by 62.3 per cent, supported by record-high export prices. The average export price reached USD 5,709 per tonne, up 63.2 per cent from a year earlier.
The EU remained Vietnam's largest coffee market, importing over 367,000 tonnes worth USD 2 billion, up 10.2 per cent in volume and 81.9 per cent in value.
Exports to the US also saw strong growth, rising 6.3 per cent in volume to 54,310 tonnes and 72.4 per cent in value to USD 299 million.
Shipments to emerging markets recorded dramatic increases. Exports to Algeria doubled, while volumes to Mexico surged by 39 times and to South Africa by 17 times.
Challenges ahead
Despite the robust performance, Vietnam's coffee sector faces looming challenges, particularly from global policy uncertainties and weakening international prices.
Analysts warn that global coffee prices are on a downward trend due to increased supply from major producers. On June 11, Robusta futures in London closed at USD 4,409 per tonne, down 15.6 per cent from the previous month. Arabica prices in New York also dropped by 8.4 per cent.
In the domestic market, coffee prices in the Central Highlands have fallen to their lowest levels since November, at around VND 112,000 per kilogram, down 12 per cent.
According to the Import-Export Department under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the price decline coincides with the start of new harvest seasons in Brazil and Indonesia. Brazil’s coffee crop is expected to increase by 0.5 per cent to 65 million bags in the 2025–26 season, while Vietnam’s output is forecast to rise by 6.9 per cent to 31 million bags, according to the US Department of Agriculture.
Nonetheless, the department remains optimistic about Vietnam’s coffee export prospects, projecting full-year export earnings to reach USD 7 billion.
Vietnam earned USD 5.4 billion from coffee exports in 2024.
