The Vietnam Coffee and Cocoa Association (VICOFA) reported that Vietnam’s coffee exports in the first half of September reached 17,305 tons, worth more than 87 million USD, down about 18% in volume but up about 55.1% in turnover over the same period last year.
Robusta exports remains in the leading position with 15,155 tons. The average unit price was 5,053 USD/ton, worth 76,583 million USD. Arabica exports reached 1,129 tons with the average unit price of 4,166 USD/ton, worth 4,705 million USD. Thus, the export price of Robusta was 887 USD/ton higher than the export price of Arabica.
A thing never happens in the history of Vietnam’s coffee industry.
The export price of Robusta was first recorded at 32 USD/ton higher than the price of Arabica in May (Robusta at 3,920 USD/ton and Arabica at 3,888 USD/ton), and then the gap widened as the price increase of Robusta was stronger.
According to the International Coffee Organization (ICO), there are two popular types of coffee in the world, including Arabica, accounting for 55%–60% of production, and Robusta, accounting for 40%–45%.
Meanwhile, in Vietnam, VICOFA said that due to soil conditions, Robusta coffee accounts for 94% of production and Arabica only 6%.
A coffee market expert said that in the past, the price of Robusta was only 1/3 of the price of Arabica. Only two years ago, in the coffee crop (from October last year to September next year) 2021-2022, the average export price of Robusta was only 1,980 USD/ton, less than half the price of Arabica (4,333 USD/ton).
Because the price of Robusta is low while the quality is improving, the demand around the world has increased. At the same time, Robusta production decreased due to weather, and farmers switched crops after a long period of low coffee prices.