Vicofa chair Van Thanh Huy attributed the export growth to the producers' interest in meeting world demand. In the first months of this crop, farmers in the major coffee-growing provinces of Dak Lak, Lam Dong and Dac Nong, have not stockpiled products waiting for higher prices, he said. Such stockpiling in past years ultimately led to losses for most farmers.
In the first quarter of this year, Dak Lak Province, the country's biggest coffee producer, exported 115,000 tonnes of coffee, posting an export value of US$168 million, an increase of 95.6% from the same period last year.
Coffee experts credited the export spurt on the industry's efforts to improve the quality of coffee, especially Robusta, and by raising competitiveness on the global market. But the Central Highlands Scientific and Technical Agro-Forestry Institute said more efforts should be done to improve coffee quality.
The institute has urged local farmers not to harvest coffee prematurely, which could affect the quality of the beans. High humidity during the rainy season can also damage the beans. The institute has called for coffee processors and exporters to upgrade processing technology and create recognisable brands to better compete on the world market.