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Laos Coffee brief History of Coffee cultivation in Laos

Published: 2026-04-09 Author: World Gafei

Last Updated: 2026/04/09, Coffee cultivation in Laos has a history of about 100 years. It was originally introduced by the French. Coffee cultivation can be divided into four stages: from 1920 to 1940, the French introduced coffee, operated coffee farms, and local farmers gradually began to grow coffee. From 1940 to 1975, affected by external factors such as war and agricultural disasters, farmers mostly abandoned coffee or switched to Robusta. 1975-1990, developing state-owned enterprises

Coffee cultivation in Laos has a history of about 100 years. It was originally introduced by the French.

Coffee cultivation can be divided into four stages:

From 1920 to 1940, the French introduced coffee and operated coffee farms, and local farmers gradually began to grow coffee.

From 1940 to 1975, affected by external factors such as war and agricultural disasters, farmers mostly abandoned coffee or switched to Robusta.

From 1975 to 1990, develop state-owned coffee farms and pursue high production.

In 1990, the farm returned to private ownership.

Coffee variety

Around 1920, French settlers began to grow coffee, mainly Arabica iron pickup and bourbon, on the Brawan plateau in southern Laos.

From 1940 to 1990, under the influence of external environment, such as war, agricultural disasters (mainly frost and leaf rust) and national policy, coffee varieties were gradually replaced by Robota species with stronger disease resistance and higher yield, and there were also a few Liberika species.

After 1990, the Arabica species began to receive renewed attention.

At present, the output of Robusta is still in the majority.

Traditional coffee producing areas: Bolaven Plateau, Brawan Plateau

Bolaven Plateau, Brawan Plateau, the name comes from the region's most populous ethnic group "the Laven", which originally means "the home of the Lavan people". It is located between the Annan Mountains, the border between Laos and Vietnam to the east, and the Mekong River to the west at an altitude of about 1000 to 1350 meters (3300 to 4430 feet).

The Brawan Plateau has the longest history of coffee cultivation in Laos, and it is also the region with the widest planting area and the largest coffee production. Among them, the three areas covered by the plateau (namely, Basong Paksong in Basong province, Thateng in Saravan province and Laongam in Sekong province) account for 95 per cent of the total coffee production in Laos. The coffee planting area in the three regions is about 70000ha.

In addition to the three areas mentioned above, coffee is also produced in other areas of the Brawan Plateau.

In addition, coffee is also grown in the northern provinces on a smaller scale.

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