Vietnam Coffee Prices Continue to Drop

Vietnamese coffee farmers and traders woke up to more bad news on August 23: prices dropped again, following a sharp decline in global coffee values. For producers in the country’s Central Highlands, the cost of selling coffee beans just got lower—again—and exporters saw their Robusta contracts take another hit on international markets. This isn’t a temporary dip; it’s part of a broader slide affecting everyone from plantation owners to importers.

As of August 23, domestic coffee bean prices in Vietnam’s Central Highlands fell by 400,000 Vietnamese dong per ton to between 41.7 and 41.8 million VND/ton. At the same time, Robusta coffee FOB prices in Ho Chi Minh City dropped by $30 to $2,060 per ton. That same 2.5% broken-grade Robusta also traded at $2,060/ton, which is $20 below the London futures price from November last year.

Why Are Vietnam Coffee Prices Falling?

The ongoing decline in Vietnam’s coffee prices is driven by a broader collapse in global coffee commodity values. The country, as the world’s largest Robusta producer, is highly sensitive to movements in international futures markets. When global demand weakens or futures drop, local prices follow quickly. On August 23, the FOB price in Ho Chi Minh City dropped $30 to $2,060 per ton, reflecting these global pressures.

How Much Have Prices Dropped Recently?

On August 23, the domestic price for coffee beans in Vietnam’s Central Highlands region was 41.7–41.8 million Vietnamese dong per ton, down 400,000 VND from the previous trading day. Meanwhile, the Robusta FOB price in Ho Chi Minh City fell to $2,060 per ton, a $30 decline. For 2.5% broken-grade beans, the FOB price also stood at $2,060/ton, which is $20 lower than the November 2023 London coffee futures price.

What Does This Mean for Exporters and Farmers?

For Vietnamese coffee exporters, lower FOB prices mean reduced margins and tougher competition on the global stage. Farmers in the Central Highlands, where most of the country’s coffee is grown, are seeing their income shrink as local prices fall. With Robusta making up the bulk of Vietnam’s production, these declines have an outsized impact on the national coffee economy. The $2,060 FOB price reflects the current market reality for bulk Robusta exports, with little room for negotiation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the current coffee bean price in Vietnam’s Central Highlands?

As of August 23, the price for coffee beans in Vietnam’s Central Highlands is between 41.7 and 41.8 million Vietnamese dong per ton, which represents a drop of 400,000 VND from the previous trading day.

What is the Robusta FOB price in Ho Chi Minh City?

The Robusta coffee FOB price in Ho Chi Minh City fell to $2,060 per ton on August 23, down $30 from the previous level.

How does the 2.5% broken-grade Robusta price compare to futures?

The 2.5% broken-grade Robusta coffee FOB price is $2,060 per ton, which is $20 lower than the London coffee futures price recorded in November 2023.

Why are Vietnam’s coffee prices falling?

Vietnam’s coffee prices are falling due to a global decline in coffee commodity values, especially for Robusta. As the world’s largest Robusta producer, Vietnam’s market is highly responsive to international price shifts, futures trading, and export demand.

Who is most affected by these price drops?

Vietnamese coffee farmers in the Central Highlands and Robusta exporters are most affected, as lower local and FOB prices directly reduce their income and profit margins.

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