Gia Lai Coffee Nears $1 Billion Export Milestone, Focuses on Value Addition

Gia Lai province in Vietnam's central highlands is experiencing robust growth in its coffee exports, with the sector nearing the $1 billion annual export milestone for 2026. Statistics indicate that coffee export turnover in July 2026 was estimated at $66.18 million. For the first seven months of the year, cumulative figures reached approximately $976.45 million, positioning the industry remarkably close to the $1 billion mark. Coffee currently accounts for about 41.5 percent of the province's total export turnover, underscoring its significance in the export structure and providing a solid foundation for Gia Lai's export growth targets. Beyond maintaining a large export scale, Gia Lai's coffee sector is strategically shifting from exporting raw materials to enhancing added value. This transition involves deeper processing, the development of certified raw material zones, and the expansion of consumer markets. The province boasts approximately 107,400 hectares of coffee plantations, ranking third nationwide in cultivation area. More than 56,690 hectares have already been granted sustainable production certifications such as 4C, Rainforest Alliance, and Organic, which is crucial for meeting the increasingly stringent requirements of importing markets. Mr. Thai Nhu Hiep, Chairman of the Members’ Council and Director of Vinh Hiep Co., Ltd., emphasized that as Vietnam's role in the global coffee supply chain grows, businesses must innovate to adapt to evolving market demands. Vinh Hiep collaborates with over 10,000 farming households to develop raw material areas compliant with international standards. The company has established a sustainable coffee production network yielding over 150,000 tons annually, exporting to more than 40 countries and territories, with the European market constituting about 60 percent of its exports. Mr. Hiep advocates for Vietnamese Robusta to transcend its image as a cheap raw material and become a symbol of quality, stressing the importance of creating clean, transparent products that meet full international standards to increase value, rather than competing solely on price. Numerous coffee processing and exporting enterprises in Gia Lai, including Hoa Trang Gia Lai Import-Export Co., Ltd., Central Highlands Tropico Coffee Co., Ltd., Tin Thanh Dat Joint Stock Company, and Louis Dreyfus Company Vietnam Co., Ltd., are investing in warehouse systems and modern processing lines. They are also expanding certified raw material zones dedicated to export, capitalizing on their raw material advantages. Mr. Nguyen Hai Phong, General Director of Central Highlands Tropico Coffee Co., Ltd., noted that farmers, cooperatives, and businesses are increasingly prioritizing internationally certified coffee production. This trend is a prerequisite for companies to invest in deep processing and develop high-quality coffee lines. The company projects green coffee production to reach approximately 20,000 tons in 2026, with about 2,500 tons designated as high-quality coffee for export to markets in the EU, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia. Mr. Nguyen Dinh Kha, Deputy Director of the Gia Lai Department of Industry and Trade, stated that coffee is the province's flagship export commodity, with a presence in roughly 60 countries and territories, including demanding markets like the European Union, the United States, and Japan. Effectively leveraging free trade agreements, standardizing raw material zones, investing in deep processing, and building brand identity are key strategies expected to accelerate the growth of this vital sector.