Vietnam is the largest producer of Robusta coffee in the world and the second-largest coffee exporter overall. In 2025 the country's coffee shipments were worth roughly US$8 to 9 billion, a record, on volumes of about 1.5 million tonnes. For a roaster, importer or trader, that scale is both an opportunity and a problem: there are hundreds of exporters, and a polished website or a directory listing says very little about who really ships.
Trade records solve this. They show who exported coffee, how often, how much, to which countries and at what price. This guide walks through a practical method to find Vietnamese coffee suppliers with shipment data, starting from Vietnam coffee export data and HS code 0901.
Why Trade Records Beat a Directory Listing
A directory shows what a company says about itself. A trade record shows what it did. When you look at shipment data you can see:
- Activity: whether the exporter shipped last month or last year, or not at all
- Volume: if the company handles one container or fifty
- Buyers: which importers and countries already trust them
- Price level: a unit value that tells you whether quotes are realistic
- Product type: green beans, roasted coffee or instant coffee
For a deeper look at why records win over lists, read our guide on supplier directories and how they compare with shipment data.
Know the Coffee HS Codes First
Every search begins with the right code. Coffee sits mainly under HS chapter 09, heading 0901, and instant coffee is classified elsewhere. Searching only one code means missing a part of the market.
| HS code | What it covers | Who searches it |
|---|---|---|
| 0901.11 | Coffee, not roasted, not decaffeinated (green beans) | Importers, roasters, traders |
| 0901.12 | Coffee, not roasted, decaffeinated | Decaf specialists |
| 0901.21 | Coffee, roasted, not decaffeinated | Retail brands, cafes, private label buyers |
| 0901.22 | Coffee, roasted, decaffeinated | Retail brands |
| 2101.11 | Extracts and concentrates of coffee (instant) | Beverage and 3-in-1 buyers |
Most of Vietnam's volume moves as green Robusta under 0901.11. If you want roasted or instant coffee, run the search again with the matching code.
5 Steps to Find Vietnamese Coffee Suppliers
Step 1: Search by HS Code
Open the Vietnam coffee export records and enter 0901 (or the full 6-digit code). This returns every shipment recorded under that product. Do not search by company name yet, because you do not know the right names.
Step 2: Narrow the Date Range
Set the filter to the last 12 months. Coffee is seasonal. The harvest runs from roughly October to January in the Central Highlands, and export volumes peak in the months that follow. A shorter window can hide suppliers who ship in bursts, so keep the full year in view.
Step 3: Group Results by Exporter
Sort the list by exporter name and count the shipments. You will see a few large traders at the top, a long middle of regular exporters and a tail of occasional names. For most buyers the middle group is the sweet spot: active enough to be reliable, small enough to welcome a new buyer.
Step 4: Study the Buyer Side
Open an exporter's record and check the destination countries and importers. A supplier that already ships to Germany, Italy or Japan understands strict quality and documentation rules. One that only sells to a single buyer may be too dependent on that relationship to take on new orders.
Step 5: Build a Shortlist of Three to Five
Pick three to five exporters that match your volume, destination and product type. Then open each company page, confirm contact details and compare unit prices. Our guide on how to check a supplier before you contact them covers this last stage in detail.
What to Look for in a Coffee Shipment Record
| Field | What it shows | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Exporter name and address | The company that shipped the coffee | Should match the company you are speaking to |
| Product description | Grade, screen size and type, e.g. Robusta Grade 2, screen 16 | Confirms the quality level the supplier really sells |
| Quantity | Weight in kilograms or tonnes, often 19 to 20 tonnes per container | Shows if the exporter handles small or large lots |
| Value | Total shipment value in US dollars | Divide by quantity to get the price per kilogram |
| Port of loading | Most coffee leaves from Ho Chi Minh City, some from Hai Phong and Da Nang | Affects freight cost and transit time |
| Destination | Country and, often, the importer | Shows which markets already trust the supplier |
Red Flags to Avoid
- No shipments in the last 12 months: the company may have stopped trading or only acts as an agent.
- Unit price far below the market: quotes that are well under what other exporters are shipping at often mean a quality issue or a mislabeled grade.
- Frequent changes of product description: a supplier that records different grades for the same lot may have weak quality control.
- One-off exporters with large volumes: a single big shipment with no history deserves extra checks.
Where Vietnamese Coffee Comes From
Almost all Robusta is grown in the Central Highlands, in the provinces of Dak Lak, Lam Dong, Gia Lai, Dak Nong and Kon Tum. Dak Lak alone supplies a very large share of national output. When you read shipment records, you will often see exporters with processing sites in or near Buon Ma Thuot. Knowing the origin helps you ask better questions about harvest timing, drying methods and storage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which HS code should I use to find Vietnamese coffee suppliers?
Use 0901.11 for green coffee beans, 0901.21 for roasted coffee and 2101.11 for instant coffee. Start with the 4-digit heading 0901 to see the full picture.
Is Vietnamese coffee mostly Robusta?
Yes. Robusta makes up the large majority of exports, while Arabica is a small, specialty-focused part of the market, grown mainly in Lam Dong and Son La.
How many exporters should I contact?
Three to five is enough. Ask each for a sample, a price quote for the same grade and a recent shipping reference, then compare.
Can I see which buyers a supplier already ships to?
Yes. Shipment records list destination countries and, in many cases, importer names, which helps you judge how experienced the supplier is.
Start Your Coffee Supplier Search
Ready to build your shortlist? Open Vietnam coffee export data to search shipments under HS code 0901, filter by exporter and compare prices. If you need records for a specific grade or buyer, send us an enquiry and we will point you to the right data.
Disclaimer: Vietnam Import Export Data provides shipment records and trade datasets. We do not buy or sell any products. For purchasing or selling enquiries, please contact the importers and exporters listed in our datasets.
