Vietnam produces over 40% of the world's Robusta supply from four major growing regions in the Central Highlands. This guide covers grades, flavor profiles, processing methods, and direct sourcing options.
>40%
of global Robusta supply
1.6M MT
annual export volume
600K ha
cultivation area
4
major growing regions
Vietnam Robusta (Coffea canephora) is cultivated across the Central Highlands at altitudes between 400–1,500 metres on fertile red basalt soils. The combination of volcanic soil, consistent rainfall, and dry harvest seasons produces green coffee beans with exceptionally high caffeine content (~2.7%) and a dense, heavy body.
The country became the world's leading Robusta exporter in the 1990s following government-backed agricultural expansion. Today, Vietnam accounts for over 40% of global Robusta supply — roughly 1.6 million metric tonnes per year — making it an indispensable origin for coffee roasters worldwide.
Vietnam Robusta is graded under TCVN 4193:2014, which specifies screen size retention, defect counts, moisture limits, and other quality parameters. The most commonly traded grades are G1 Screen 18 (premium) and G1 Screen 16 (standard commercial), both available in Cleaned and Color Sorted variants.
Grade 1 Screen 18 Color Sorted green beans — GreenTech export lot, Lam Dong origin
Vietnam Robusta delivers a characteristic cup that forms the backbone of espresso blends, instant coffee, and single-serve formats worldwide.
Body
Heavy, full, lingering
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Acidity
Low — clean, not sharp
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Bitterness
Pronounced, chocolatey
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Caffeine
High (~2.7%) — strong extraction
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Crema
Thick, persistent — ideal for espresso
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Sweetness
Low — earthy, nutty base
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Vietnam's Robusta is cultivated across four provinces in the Central Highlands, each with distinct terroir characteristics.
Đắk Lắk
Dak Lak is Vietnam's coffee heartland. The province produces primarily washed and natural Robusta at lower altitudes, with a long dry season ideal for cherry drying.
Lâm Đồng
Lam Dong is Vietnam's highest-altitude coffee region, producing both Robusta and Arabica. Its cooler climate yields cleaner, brighter Robusta with less earthy intensity.
Đắk Nông
Dak Nong benefits from the highest rainfall of the four regions, producing dense beans with higher moisture at harvest — careful drying is essential for export quality.
Gia Lai
Gia Lai is an expanding Robusta region with significant investment in processing infrastructure, producing reliable G1 S16 and S18 grades.
Processing method directly affects cup quality, moisture stability, and grade classification.
Process Steps
Cherry → Sun-dry on raised beds 15–25 days → Hull → Mill → Grade → Export
Cup Result
Earthy, heavy body, low acidity. Most common for G1 S16, G2 FAQ grades.
G1 S18, G1 S16, G2 FAQ
Dak Lak, Gia Lai, Dak Nong
Process Steps
Cherry → Pulp → Ferment 24–48h → Wash → Dry 8–12 days → Hull → Grade → Export
Cup Result
Cleaner cup, reduced earthiness. Preferred for premium G1 S18 Color Sorted lots.
G1 S18 Color Sorted
Lam Dong, Dak Nong
Process Steps
Cherry → Pulp (mucilage retained) → Dry 12–18 days → Hull → Grade → Export
Cup Result
Balanced sweetness, medium body. Used for specialty-position G1 S18 CS micro-lots.
G1 S18 CS specialty
Lam Dong premium mills
All grades certified under TCVN 4193:2014. SGS pre-shipment inspection included with every GreenTech export lot.
| Grade | Screen | Black Beans | Moisture | Primary Use | Tier |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G1 S18 Color Sorted | S18 ≥ 90% | ≤ 0.2% | ≤ 12% | Branded espresso blends, specialty roasters | Premium |
| G1 S18 Cleaned | S18 ≥ 90% | ≤ 0.5% | ≤ 12.5% | Commercial espresso, premium instant | High |
| G1 S16 Color Sorted | S16 ≥ 90% | ≤ 0.2% | ≤ 12% | Espresso blends, quality instant coffee | High |
| G1 S16 Cleaned | S16 ≥ 90% | ≤ 0.5% | ≤ 12.5% | Standard commercial blends, soluble processing | Standard |
| G2 FAQ | S13 ≥ 90% | ≤ 2% | ≤ 12.5% | Soluble processing, low-cost blend base | Bulk |
| Culi (Peaberry) | Peaberry | ≤ 0.2% | ≤ 12% | Specialty single-origin, pour-over, Vietnamese phin | Specialty |
Vietnam Robusta serves multiple end markets, from commodity blending to specialty single-origin roasting.
~45% of volume
Robusta contributes crema, body, and caffeine strength to espresso blends. Most Italian and commercial espresso blends use 20–40% Robusta.
~30% of volume
Vietnam is the world's largest Robusta supplier to instant coffee manufacturers. High soluble solids yield makes it ideal for spray-drying and freeze-drying.
~10% of volume
Canned and bottled coffee products in Asia use high-caffeine Robusta as the base. Heavy body and crema-forming properties suit cold and hot RTD formats.
~8% of volume
Vietnam's domestic market consumes significant volumes of domestic-roasted Robusta for phin filter brewing — a high-extraction, sweetened cold or hot format.
~4% of volume
Premium G1 S18 Color Sorted and Culi (peaberry) grades are increasingly used by specialty roasters exploring high-quality Robusta as a deliberate origin choice.
~3% of volume
Robusta's high extraction yield and crema properties suit pressurized capsule formats. Used in blends for Nespresso-compatible and ESE pod products.
Understanding the structural differences helps buyers make informed sourcing decisions.
| — | Vietnam Robusta | Arabica |
|---|---|---|
| Species | Coffea canephora | Coffea arabica |
| Caffeine | ~2.7% | ~1.5% |
| Body | Heavy, full | Medium, clean |
| Acidity | Low | Medium–High |
| Bitterness | High | Low–Medium |
| Growing altitude | 400–1,500 m | 900–2,200 m |
| Disease resistance | Resistant | Susceptible |
| Yield per hectare | 2–4× higher | Lower |
| Price (relative) | 30–40% lower | Higher |
| Primary use | Blends, instant, espresso | Single origin, filter, specialty |
Vietnam also produces high-altitude Arabica in Lam Dong and Son La provinces. →
#1
Robusta exporter globally
#2
Overall coffee exporter (all origins)
>40%
Of global Robusta supply
640K+
Smallholder farming households
Vietnam's rise as a coffee powerhouse began in the 1990s with government-led expansion of the Central Highlands. Today, the country exports over $4 billion of coffee annually — second only to Brazil in total volume.
The overwhelming majority of Vietnam's production is Robusta, concentrated in Dak Lak, Lam Dong, Dak Nong, and Gia Lai provinces. More than 640,000 smallholder farming families participate in the supply chain.
Price-wise, Vietnam Robusta trades at a discount to ICE Robusta futures (LIFFE). GreenTech publishes monthly market intelligence reports covering current differentials, crop estimates, and port availability.
We export G1 Screen 18 Color Sorted, G1 Screen 18 Cleaned, G1 Screen 16 Color Sorted, G1 Screen 16 Cleaned, G2 FAQ, and Culi (peaberry). All lots are SGS inspected pre-shipment. Contact us for current availability and pricing.
Our standard MOQ is one 20-foot FCL, approximately 19–21 metric tonnes depending on grade and packaging. We can discuss smaller trial orders for new buyers.
Each shipment includes: SGS pre-shipment inspection report, phytosanitary certificate (MARD), certificate of origin (Form B or EUR.1), ISO 22000:2018 documentation, and EUDR due diligence files where required.
Standard lead time is 15–25 days from order confirmation to vessel loading at Cat Lai port. Transit times: 20–25 days to European ports, 18–22 days to US West Coast, 7–10 days to Northeast Asia.
Yes. All GreenTech lots are sourced from registered farms with documented geolocation, land title, and deforestation-free verification aligned with EU Deforestation Regulation requirements. We provide full due diligence documentation per shipment.
Yes — we offer 200g roasted samples and 500g green bean samples for qualified buyers. Contact us with your company details and target grade specifications.
GreenTech exports Grade 1 Screen 18 and Screen 16 Robusta from Lam Dong and Dak Nong. SGS inspected, EUDR ready, FOB Cat Lai.
Detailed breakdown of G1 S18 vs G1 S16 vs G2 FAQ — what each grade means for your blend.
Why Screen 18 commands a premium and how to evaluate Screen 18 lots from Vietnam.
Region-by-region guide to Vietnam's growing areas: Dak Lak, Lam Dong, Dak Nong, Gia Lai, and northern Arabica zones.
How Vietnam coffee exports meet EU Deforestation Regulation requirements — documentation and compliance guide.
Export capabilities, logistics, incoterms, and how to place your first container order with GreenTech.
Monthly Robusta price outlook, ICE futures analysis, and Vietnam crop supply updates.
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