Coffee prices reach highest level

These days, coffee growers in the communes of Huong Phung and Khe Sanh (Quang Tri province) are busy with the harvest.

Mr Ho Van Sau, a coffee farmer in Cheng village (Huong Phung commune), said that at this time last year, the price of fresh Arabica Catimor cherries ranged from VND 17,000–18,000/kg, which was already considered a record high. But this year, traders are purchasing the cherries directly at the farm for VND 25,000–27,000/kg. With 2 hectares of coffee, Mr Sau expects to harvest around 15 tons of fresh cherries this season and earn more than VND 200 million in profit.

Ms Mai Thi Ly in Cop village (Huong Phung commune) is also mobilizing all available labor to harvest her 2.5 hectares of coffee. In 2024, with 1 hectare of coffee, she harvested over 10 tons of fresh cherries and, after expenses, earned about VND 100 million in net profit. At the end of the season, she purchased an additional 1.5 hectares from local farmers. Thanks to good investment and care, her coffee trees have high yields.

“For this season, my family expects to harvest about 25–27 tons of fresh cherries. With current coffee prices, after deducting costs, we anticipate profits of around VND 400 million,” Ms Ly said happily.

Mr Phan Ngoc Long, Vice Chairman of the Huong Phung People’s Committee, said the commune currently has about 2,100 hectares of coffee in harvest. Surveys show average yields of 8–10 tons/ha, while well-managed farms can reach 15–20 tons/ha. With current prices, after costs, including labor, farmers can earn VND 120–150 million/ha.

“In previous years, prices at the beginning of the season were usually low, rising gradually afterward. But this year, coffee prices have hit high levels right from the start. If prices remain this high until the end of the season, farmers will enjoy a very successful year,” Mr Long affirmed.

According to Mr Long, Huong Phung commune accounts for nearly 62% of the province’s coffee area. In recent years, farmers here have applied scientific techniques, partnered with businesses and cooperatives, and built high-quality coffee production models. Growers have become more aware of improving quality during harvesting, while buyers and processors have raised their quality standards. This has helped steadily improve the reputation of Huong Phung coffee.

“Before this year’s harvest, the commune authorities carried out communication campaigns and supported residents, buyers, and processors to ensure a high-quality season. We have also encouraged farmers to harvest fully ripe cherries and taken steps to prevent coffee theft and maintain security,” Mr Long added.

Mr Nguyen Duy Phuong, Director of the Bon Phuong Ecological Agriculture Cooperative (Huong Phung commune), said the cooperative expects to purchase around 300 tons of fresh cherries this season, of which 80–100 tons will be used to produce specialty coffee.

Arabica Catimor in the region does not ripen uniformly, and the cooperative only buys selectively harvested cherries, requiring over 95% fully red ripe. This harvesting method preserves the coffee’s flavor and enhances the cooperative’s brand and product quality.

“We are willing to pay VND 3,000–5,000/kg more for batches that meet quality standards and are harvested according to our requirements,” Mr Phuong noted.

These days, the usually bustling coffee-harvest atmosphere in Lam Dong has become unusually quiet as persistent rain falls from morning to evening. At a time when farmers should be busy gathering ripe cherries, the continuous drizzling rain has nearly brought harvesting to a halt. Coffee is entering its peak ripening stage, and the cherries - swollen with water - easily crack or drop in large quantities. According to local farmers, each tree can lose up to 300 grams of cherries after a heavy rain, sometimes even more, causing significant losses at a time when fresh-coffee prices are high.

This situation is occurring not only in Lam Dong but across many Central Highlands provinces—regions now entering the peak of the 2025 harvest season. With a total coffee-growing area of 639,000–660,000 hectares, accounting for 92% of the country, the Central Highlands is considered Vietnam’s “coffee capital,” producing more than 1.7 million tons annually. Therefore, prolonged rainfall during the harvest season poses a clear risk of reduced output.

*Currency exchange: USD 1 = VND 26.386 - Source: Vietcombank, November 18, 2025.