Vietnam is one of the world’s largest coffee producers, with roughly 500,000 hectares under cultivation and coffee serving as a lifeline for millions of farming households. Yet experts warn that poor harvesting and post-harvest handling threaten both export prices and global market reputation.
A Farmer’s Struggle in Lâm Đồng
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Mrs. K’Săn’s Experience
Mrs. K’Săn from Hamlet 2, Đa Chai commune, Lạc Dương district (Lâm Đồng province) owns one hectare of coffee. Despite stable yields and higher market prices, her income remained flat and she struggled to sell all her coffee.
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No drying yard: Forced to sell freshly picked cherries.
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Unripe green berries: Middlemen drove the price down, forcing her to sell at a discount.
Her case reflects a widespread problem among Vietnam’s coffee farmers.
Common Harvesting Practices Lower Quality
Agricultural experts recommend:
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Picking only fully ripe cherries.
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Harvesting in three to four rounds depending on ripening progress.
Reality on the Ground
Most farmers instead:
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Spread tarpaulins under trees and strip branches in a single pass.
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Mix in leaves, twigs, unripe or dried cherries.
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Cause branch damage, leaving wounds that make plants more susceptible to pests and diseases and reducing future yields.
Post-Harvest Shortcomings
Lack of Proper Drying Yards
Building a cement drying yard of a few dozen square meters costs only a few million đồng, yet:
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In Di Linh district, only 15% of coffee households have their own yard.
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Most dry coffee on plastic sheets, bare ground, or even on roads, leading to:
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Soil and grit contamination,
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Higher bean moisture,
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Greater risk of mold and quality rejection.
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Global Market Consequences
At a “Global Coffee Market Outlook” seminar in Ho Chi Minh City, hosted by the International Coffee Organization (ICO) and the Vietnam Coffee and Cocoa Association, experts warned:
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About 75% of Vietnamese coffee fails to meet international standards.
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Poor harvesting and post-harvest handling are major reasons why many export shipments are rejected.
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Vietnam is often forced to sell coffee at some of the lowest prices worldwide.
National Standards and the Need for Farmer Education
The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has issued national standard VN 4193, setting strict limits on moisture, impurities, and green bean ratios.
However, many farmers remain unaware of these requirements.
Path to Higher Economic Value
To raise the economic value of this vital crop, local agricultural authorities must:
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Invest in improved coffee varieties and better farming techniques.
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Promote product diversification and modern processing.
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Educate and encourage farmers to change harvesting and post-harvest practices—ensuring fully ripe cherry picking and proper drying methods.
Vietnam’s coffee industry can maintain its global position only by addressing harvesting and post-harvest shortcomings. By embracing national standards and improved practices, farmers can achieve higher export prices, enhance global competitiveness, and secure long-term sustainability for one of the country’s most important export crops.