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How to Source Green Coffee Beans from Vietnam: A B2B Buyer’s Guide
Sep
If you plan to source green coffee beans from Vietnam, you are buying from the world’s largest Robusta origin, but quality and service vary widely from one exporter to the next. Four decisions determine whether your first container is a success: the grade you specify, how the price is built, the contract terms, and the supplier you choose. This guide covers each one for roasters, importers, distributors and private-label brands.
Vietnam mainly exports Robusta, priced at ICE London futures plus or minus a quality differential. The standard order is one 20-ft container (about 19.2 tonnes, or 320 bags of 60 kg). Always approve a pre-shipment sample, and make sure each shipment comes with a certificate of origin, a phytosanitary certificate, a quality and weight certificate and, for the EU, farm-level traceability data.
Sources: USDA FAS, ICO Coffee Market Report, August 2026. Cupping score: Tropifarm Q-grading.
Why Source Green Coffee Beans from Vietnam?
Vietnam offers scale that few origins can match. The USDA Foreign Agricultural Service forecasts 2026/27 production at a record 32.5 million bags, of which 31.4 million are Robusta. The International Coffee Organization also projects a global surplus for 2025/26 after four deficit years, which gives buyers a better negotiating position than in recent seasons.
Quality has also moved beyond commodity grade. Selective harvesting, honey processing and Q-graded lots now make Vietnamese Robusta suitable for premium espresso blends. See Vietnam Fine Robusta vs Commercial Robusta.
Choosing the Right Grade of Green Coffee Beans from Vietnam
Match the grade to your end product rather than buying the most expensive lot:
| Use | Recommended grade |
|---|---|
| Instant coffee, value blends | Commercial Robusta (Grade 2, screen 13) |
| Mainstream espresso and whole-bean blends | Robusta Grade 1, screen 16/18, natural |
| Premium espresso, specialty blends | Fine Robusta, Q-graded 82+, honey process |
Not sure which grade fits your product?
Choose what you are making and we’ll suggest a starting point.
Tropifarm’s Fine Robusta has a ripe cherry rate of at least 97%, moisture of 12.5% or less, black beans of 0.1% or less and broken beans of 0.3% or less. Full specifications are on our Green Coffee Beans page. To see how processing affects the cup, read 3 Popular Green Coffee Bean Processing Methods.
How Is Vietnam Robusta Priced?
Most contracts follow one formula:
As the German Coffee Association explains, the exchange price reflects only a standard quality, so buyer and seller negotiate a differential for the actual lot. The differential reflects grade, screen size, processing, cup quality, shipment period and Incoterm. Fine Robusta carries a premium over Grade 1.
You can lock an outright price at signing, or agree on the differential now and fix the futures level later (price-to-be-fixed). We explain why many roasters are raising their Robusta share in Why Roasters Are Turning to Vietnam Robusta Coffee Beans.
Want this week’s differential for Fine Robusta or Grade 1?
MOQ, Incoterms and Payment Terms
- MOQ: one 20-ft container, about 320 bags of 60 kg. Ask for samples or a trial lot before your first container.
- Incoterms: FOB Ho Chi Minh City if you manage your own freight; CFR or CIF if you want the seller to arrange shipping (and insurance, under CIF). See the ICC Incoterms® rules for official definitions.
- Payment: usually T/T with a deposit, cash against documents (CAD), or a letter of credit (L/C) for new relationships.
Samples and Export Documents
Separate the offer sample, which is used to agree on contract quality, from the pre-shipment sample, which is drawn from the actual lot and should be approved before loading. For Fine Robusta, scores should follow the Coffee Quality Institute Q Robusta protocol.
A complete shipment file usually includes:
- Commercial invoice, packing list and bill of lading
- Certificate of origin (supports 0% EU duty under the EVFTA)
- Phytosanitary certificate
- Quality and weight certificate
- Fumigation certificate, if the destination requires it
- For EU buyers: plot-level geolocation data, as explained in our EUDR Coffee Compliance guide
How to Choose a Reliable Supplier of Green Coffee Beans from Vietnam
Before signing, ask your supplier:
- Do you grow or process the coffee yourself, or only trade it?
- How do you control defects and moisture (screen grading, colour sorting, retained samples)?
- Can you share dated cupping reports and valid HACCP or ISO 22000 certificates?
- Can every bag be traced back to its farm?
- What is your procedure for quality claims?
If you want to source green coffee beans from Vietnam with full traceability, work with a grower-processor rather than a trader. Tropifarm grows and processes coffee in Gia Lai, in Vietnam’s Central Highlands, with its own sorting lines and QR-coded traceability for every bag. Learn more about our sustainable sourcing and traceability, or explore roasted coffee and OEM options.
Get a Quote for Green Coffee Beans from Vietnam
Ready to source green coffee beans from Vietnam? Tell us what you need. We usually reply within one business day with specifications, a current offer and sample options.
- Grower-processor in Gia Lai
- HACCP and ISO 22000
- QR traceability for every bag
- Samples before contract
Prefer to write directly? WhatsApp +84 988 785 393 or email Kim@winwincorpjsc.com.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the best way to source green coffee beans from Vietnam?
Work directly with a grower-exporter, specify grade and screen size in the contract, approve a pre-shipment sample, and agree on Incoterms, payment and documents before shipment.
What is the minimum order for green coffee from Vietnam?
Usually one 20-ft container, about 19.2 tonnes. Samples and trial orders are available before the first container.
How is Vietnam Robusta priced?
ICE London Robusta futures plus or minus a differential based on quality, processing, shipment period and Incoterm.
What is the difference between Fine Robusta and Grade 1?
Fine Robusta is selectively harvested and cupped by Q graders at 82 points or higher. Grade 1 is physically graded export Robusta without a cup score.
Which documents come with a Vietnam green coffee shipment?
Commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading, certificate of origin, phytosanitary certificate and quality/weight certificate, plus fumigation and traceability documents when required.
Tropifarm – Vietnam Coffee Exporter
Hotline/WhatsApp: +84 988 785 393 | Email: Kim@winwincorpjsc.com | vietnamtropifarm.com
