Foundation for sustainable development
In 2000, Mr. Ly Van Khiem joined the migration of people settling in Ta Son village, Ta Nang commune ( Lam Dong province) to start a new life. At that time, the land was still undeveloped, production conditions were lacking, and agricultural knowledge was almost non-existent. Learning from experienced farmers and experimenting on his own, Mr. Khiem has been dedicated to coffee cultivation from the very beginning until now.
Over the years, coffee not only took root in the new land but gradually became the main source of income, supporting his family and closely linked to their long-term livelihood. Having cultivated coffee for many years, witnessing the ups and downs of prices and the quality of his plants, Mr. Khiem boldly grafted and improved his coffee plantation, selecting high-quality coffee varieties suitable for the local soil and climate. From his practical experience, Mr. Khiem stated that coffee cultivation is only truly sustainable when growers invest in proper care and consider quality as the decisive factor in the long-term value of the coffee beans.
Following the administrative boundary merger, Lam Dong became the province with the largest coffee growing area in the country, with over 328,000 hectares. The projected production for the 2025-2026 crop year is expected to exceed 1 million tons, further solidifying its position as Vietnam's coffee capital.
Besides generating significant revenue, the coffee industry also creates livelihoods for rural people, attracting dozens of businesses involved in purchasing, processing, and exporting, and has a strong ripple effect on the local economy .
Lam Dong possesses enormous potential to become a leading center for coffee production, processing, and export in Vietnam.
Shift from “higher output” to “higher value”
In recent years, the province's coffee production has been gradually shifting towards modernization. The entire province currently has 22,735 hectares of coffee cultivated using high-tech methods. The province is developing five high-tech coffee production zones with a total area of 1,743.5 hectares. Five zones have already been officially recognized, concentrated in the coffee-producing areas of Di Linh, Bao Lam, Thuan An, and Duc An.
Key technologies such as water-saving irrigation systems, smart fertilization through irrigation systems, and integrated pest management (IPHM) are contributing to reduced input costs, optimized resource utilization, and improved coffee bean quality.
Along with production, Lam Dong province is promoting the expansion of coffee growing areas that meet sustainable certifications such as VietGAP, 4C, UTZ, Rainforest, and organic. Currently, the certified area reaches 117,454 hectares, accounting for 36.4% of the total area, with a corresponding production of 433,715 tons.
The entire province has formed 65 production and consumption linkage chains, attracting 29,420 farming households to participate on a scale of 55,468 hectares. These linkage chains help organize synchronized production, stabilize output, and create a sustainable supply for businesses.
In 2024, direct exports of green coffee beans reached approximately 158,253 tons, valued at US$478.8 million. Markets such as Switzerland, Italy, Japan, and Germany all have high demands for quality and sustainability standards, placing increasingly stringent requirements on domestic production.
Despite its achievements, Lam Dong's coffee industry is facing numerous challenges. Climate change is causing droughts, unseasonal rains, and complex pest outbreaks; the cost of materials, fertilizers, and labor is rising rapidly, narrowing the actual profit margin for coffee growers.
Notably, over 98% of current coffee exports are still green coffee beans, resulting in low added value. The practice of harvesting unripe cherries and the weak links between farmers and businesses persist, reducing quality and hindering the goal of developing specialty coffee.
In addition, the European Union's Regulation on Deforestation (EUDR) is imposing mandatory requirements for transparency in growing areas and traceability, forcing the coffee industry to make significant changes if it wants to maintain its export market.
In response to the demands of integration, Lam Dong's agricultural sector has identified a long-term development strategy: shifting from agricultural production to agricultural economics, using quality, branding, and international compliance as benchmarks.
The province is focusing on replanting and renovating aging coffee plantations; promoting the application of high technology and digital technology; building genuine value chains; developing deep processing, and increasing the percentage of processed coffee to 10-15% by 2030. At the same time, it aims to effectively position and exploit the geographical indication "Lam Dong Coffee," linking coffee production with agro-tourism and local culture.
Lam Dong province is gradually shifting towards developing high-quality coffee, specialty coffee, and sustainable development so that highland coffee beans can reach further into the international market.
Source: https://baolamdong.vn/de-hat-ca-phe-vuon-ra-thi-truong-quoc-te-414244.html
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