When is the Coffee Harvest Season in Vietnam?
In Vietnam, coffee is one of the main economic crops, especially in the Central Highlands and some northwestern provinces. To ensure quality and yield, coffee needs to be harvested at the right time. Ahead of the 2024–2025 season, VCU provides customers with information on the coffee harvest season in Vietnam.
How Many Harvest Seasons Are There for Coffee Each Year?
Coffee is a long-standing industrial crop and one of the plant varieties that contributes to the development of Vietnam’s economy. Coffee includes various types such as Robusta, Arabica, and Excelsa, which is why the coffee harvest season in Vietnam varies.
In Vietnam, coffee typically has two harvest seasons, known as the main and secondary seasons.
For the main season, Robusta coffee is usually harvested from October to February of the following year, and Arabica from January to April. Excelsa coffee, which has a lower yield in Vietnam, is typically harvested from November to January.
In the northwestern Arabica-growing regions of Vietnam, coffee ripens earlier and can be harvested as early as November due to different climate and altitude conditions compared to the Central Highlands.
During the main season, coffee has the highest quality in terms of both flavor and ripeness consistency.
In the secondary season, immediately after the main harvest, from May to September, both Arabica and Robusta coffee are harvested. The coffee quality during this season is lower than in the main season and is often used for instant coffee or products that do not require high quality.
Important Notes on the Coffee Harvest Season in Vietnam
Climate differences, as well as terrain, geography, and cultivation methods, also affect the coffee harvest season in Vietnam. In fact, the harvest time should be determined based on the ripeness of the coffee cherries. Harvesting too early or too late can impact both the quality and yield of the entire crop. To enhance coffee productivity, farmers need to pay close attention to the appropriate harvest time for their gardens.
When is Coffee Harvested in the Central Highlands?
In the largest coffee-growing regions, such as Lam Dong, Gia Lai, and Dak Lak, the coffee harvest season in Vietnam begins during the dry season, around November each year, when the weather is favorable, sunny, with little rain, and the coffee cherries are fully ripe. These weather conditions are ideal for picking and processing, ensuring high-quality coffee that is not affected by mold or moisture, which could impact its flavor after roasting and brewing.
How Long Does It Take for Coffee Plants to Bear Fruit?
Typically, Arabica coffee plants take 3–4 years, while Robusta takes 2–3 years to produce cherries. A coffee tree can be harvested for 15–25 years. When the soil becomes hard and depleted of nutrients, farmers will cut down the trees, till the soil, expose it to the sun, and replant. However, the time until harvest can also depend on various factors such as the type of variety, environmental conditions, weather, and cultivation techniques.
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Forecast for Coffee Prices in the 2024–2025 Season
Since 2023, global warming has raised concerns about coffee production. Dry and hot weather threatens yields in countries like Indonesia, Brazil, India, and Vietnam.
By the end of the 2023–2024 season, Vietnam exported 1.47 million tons of coffee, an 11.3% decrease from the previous season. However, export value for this season increased by 33%, reaching a record high of USD 5.42 billion, thanks to a 50% higher average export price of USD 3,673 per ton.
At the start of the new season, coffee prices are expected to decrease significantly due to increased supply, which balances supply and demand. Furthermore, by late October, improved supply in major coffee-producing and exporting countries like Brazil and Colombia is expected to lead to substantial price drops on both the London and New York exchanges.
In 2024, VCU will have a green coffee processing plant with a capacity of over 3,000 tons per month, serving both domestic and international markets. We are committed to quality, stability, and competitive pricing right at the factory.
For customers interested in the new season’s coffee, please contact VCU for detailed consultation and support!
Contact Information
VCU Joint Stock Company (VCU JSC)
Address:
– Roasting Facility: Residential Group 6, Chu Prong Town, Chu Prong District, Gia Lai Province
– Green Bean Facility: Ia Der Commune, Ia Grai District, Gia Lai Province
– Hotline: +84 941 203 879
– Fanpage: VCU – Vietnam Coffee United
– Email: info@vietnamcoffeeunited.com
