Development strategy for Vietnamese specialty coffee

Developing specialty coffee is considered an urgent need and a strategy to help Vietnam’s coffee industry exploit new market segments. At the same time, specialty coffee will “lead” the coffee industry on a roadmap to improve the value and competitiveness of Vietnamese coffee in the international arena, including Buon Ma Thuot coffee.

Foundation of specialty coffee

Currently, the coffee industry of Vietnam, including Dak Lak province, has been deeply integrated into the global coffee market. Especially the participation in the specialty coffee segment, this is the “key” to affirm the quality of coffee and the competitiveness of Vietnamese coffee in the international arena.

According to Mr. Trinh Duc Minh, Chairman of Buon Ma Thuot Coffee Association, in order to create a supply chain for specialty coffee, the Association has organized Vietnam Amazing Cups to attract organizations and individuals interested in coffee quality so that they may invest in making the most delicious coffee beans according to the deep processing chain (quality of raw materials; advanced technology production line; roasting, grinding, preparation meeting the needs of coffee users in the world…)

It can be said that the first Vietnam Amazing Cup held on the occasion of the 7^th Buon Ma Thuot Coffee Festival in 2019 marked a new era of the coffee industry as Vietnam officially developed specialty coffee and aimed to participate in the world specialty coffee market. The competition attracted 31 participants, with 42 samples of coffee produced across the country and 25 samples were selected that met the standards of specialty coffee (according to international scale). It was also the first time that Vietnam has specialty green coffee product to introduce and connect to domestic and foreign roasters, initially creating added value for Vietnamese coffee.

The Project on “Vietnam’s Specialty Coffee Development” will be divided into two phases for development, including: in the period of 2021 – 2025, the area of ​​specialty coffee will reach 11,500 hectares, accounting for about 2% of the total coffee area; in the period 2026 – 2030, the total area will reach nearly 19,000 hectares, accounting for about 3% of Vietnam’s coffee area. Along with the development of production, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development shall develop and complete mechanisms, policies, and brands of Vietnamese specialty coffee.

Following the success of the first competition, Buon Ma Thuot Coffee Association has so far organized two more competition in 2020 and 2021. It is noteworthy that the number of participating units, the number of samples participating in the competition, the yield of specialty coffee has increased over the years. In particular, in Vietnam Amazing Cup 2021, there were 74 samples participating in the contest, an increase of 21 samples compared to the competition in 2020; and by the preliminary round, there were 47 samples that met the standards of specialty coffee (an increase of 9 samples). Mr. Trinh Duc Minh said that, it was not only the joy of the Organizing Committee, but also affirmed that we were developing in the right direction, with the active participation of relevant factors. This shows that people working in coffee industry are more and more interested in affirming the quality of their coffee, considering it as a means of transparency in quality to participate in the specialty coffee market, contributing to improving the quality and value of Vietnamese coffee and coffee that has been granted geographical indications in Buon Ma Thuot.

Empowering to improve the quality of Vietnamese coffee

To empower for the roadmap of improving and affirming the quality of Vietnamese coffee in the world, recently the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has approved the Project on “Vietnam’s Specialty Coffee Development” in the period of 2021 – 2030. The purpose is to develop Vietnamese specialty coffee in line with the process of international economic integration, meet the increasing demand for specialty coffee in export and domestic markets, and at the same time increase the competitiveness of Vietnamese coffee products on the world market.

Based on topography, climate and soil quality, specialty coffee will be developed in areas suitable for Arabica and Robusta coffee. Specifically: Arabica specialty coffee will be grown in some areas in the provinces of Dien Bien, Son La, Quang Tri, Kon Tum, Lam Dong, with a total area of ​​11,620 ha by 2030; Robusta specialty coffee will be grown mainly in provinces of Gia Lai, Dak Lak, Dak Nong and a part in Lam Dong and Kon Tum, with a total area of ​​7,340 ha. In which, Dak Lak Province will develop Robusta specialty coffee in 5 communes under 3 districts and cities, including: Krong Nang District (Ea Tan Commune, Ea Toh Commune); Krong Pac District (Hoa An Commune, Ea Yong Commune) and Buon Ma Thuot City (Ea Tu Commune), with a total area of ​​about 1,060 hectares in 2025 and 2,120 hectares in 2030, it is expected to produce about 1,500 tons in 2030.

To achieve the set plan, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development requires localities to organize production according to value chains, taking businesses as the center; apply scientific and technological advances in production stages and promote mechanization and automation in processing; focus on training human resources for the development of specialty coffee (from producers, processors, testers, breeders…). For trade promotion and market expansion activities, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development requires to promote provision of information about the market for consuming specialty coffee products to factors in the specialty coffee value chain. At the same time, connection between producers and roasters, processors and consumers of specialty coffee must be strengthened; specialty coffee brands must be built and developed…

According to assessment of Buon Ma Thuot Coffee Association, with contribution of the State, the specialty coffee community will grow stronger, especially the organization, human resource development as well as strict management of stages in specialty coffee value chain, ensuring the sustainable development of the coffee industry…

The Project on “Vietnam’s Specialty Coffee Development” will be divided into two phases for development, including: in the period of 2021 – 2025, the area of specialty coffee will reach 11,500 hectares, accounting for about 2% of the total coffee area; in the period 2026 – 2030, the total area will reach nearly 19,000 hectares, accounting for about 3% of Vietnam’s coffee area. Along with the development of production, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development shall develop and complete mechanisms, policies, and brands of Vietnamese specialty coffee.

Dak Lak Newspaper