Vietnam Coffee Output to Drop 20% Below Plan

Vietnam, one of the world’s largest coffee producers, faces a significant shortfall in its upcoming harvest. According to the Vietnam Coffee-Cocoa Association, the 2015-2016 coffee season is projected to fall short of planned output by over 20%. This decline follows two previous seasons of reduced yields, raising concerns among global buyers and specialty roasters reliant on Vietnamese beans.

The key takeaway: Vietnam’s 2015-2016 coffee production is expected to be more than 20% below target, the third straight season of below-plan output, driven by severe drought in major growing regions and aging coffee trees.

Why Vietnam’s Coffee Output Is Falling

The primary cause of the projected 20% drop in Vietnam’s 2015-2016 coffee production is prolonged drought. Key coffee-growing provinces—including Đắk Lắk, Lâm Đồng, Đắk Nông, and Gia Lai—have experienced unusually low rainfall, leading to widespread coffee tree mortality. In Đắk Lắk, the country’s largest coffee-growing region with 204,500 hectares under cultivation, approximately 47,800 hectares of coffee trees have died due to the dry conditions.

The Role of Aging Coffee Trees

Beyond drought, another critical factor is the age of the coffee trees. Many plants in Vietnam’s coffee regions have exceeded 20 years, reaching the end of their productive lifespan. These older trees require replanting to maintain yield levels, but both farmers and coffee companies face financial constraints that have slowed the renewal process. The lack of timely replanting further contributes to the overall decline in production.

Main Coffee-Growing Regions Affected

The hardest-hit areas include Đắk Lắk, Lâm Đồng, Đắk Nông, and Gia Lai—provinces that collectively account for the majority of Vietnam’s coffee output. Đắk Lắk alone, with 204,500 hectares planted, has seen 47,800 hectares of coffee trees perish. The drought has been most severe in these regions, decimating crops and reducing the viability of aging plantations.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is Vietnam’s 2015-2016 coffee production expected to drop?

Vietnam’s 2015-2016 coffee production is projected to fall more than 20% below the planned output, marking the third consecutive season of reduced yields.

Which regions in Vietnam are most affected by the coffee production drop?

The provinces most impacted include Đắk Lắk, Lâm Đồng, Đắk Nông, and Gia Lai—key coffee-growing areas that have suffered from drought and aging coffee trees.

What is causing the decline in Vietnam’s coffee yields?

The main causes are prolonged drought in major coffee regions and the aging of coffee trees, many of which are over 20 years old and need replanting.

Why isn’t replanting happening faster in Vietnam’s coffee farms?

Replanting is delayed due to financial limitations faced by both farmers and coffee companies, slowing the replacement of old, unproductive coffee trees.

How large is Đắk Lắk’s coffee-growing area, and how much has been lost?

Đắk Lắk has 204,500 hectares of coffee plantations, with around 47,800 hectares of coffee trees having died due to drought.

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