The 2026 Procurement Playbook: How to Buy Green Coffee from Vietnam

In the high-stakes arena of global coffee procurement, the decision to buy green coffee from Vietnam is no longer a simple transactional choice; it is a strategic imperative. As we navigate the opening weeks of 2026, the global coffee market is defined by a sharp divergence. While the Arabica markets of Latin America are grappling with “structural vulnerability” due to climate shocks, Vietnam—the world’s Robusta powerhouse—is currently the market’s liquidity engine.

For the professional roaster and importer, the current landscape offers a rare and lucrative opportunity. Domestic prices in Vietnam have corrected by approximately 18% compared to the highs of 2025, creating a “Buyer’s Window” that allows for significant margin recovery. However, accessing this value requires more than just sending a Purchase Order. It demands a sophisticated understanding of agronomy, processing technology, and the evolving regulatory landscape of 2026.

This guide is your executive manual. We will move beyond the basics to provide a rigorous, analytical framework for sourcing. We will dissect the market data, analyze the rise of “Wet Polished” processing, and provide a due diligence checklist to ensure that when you buy green coffee from Vietnam, you are securing not just a commodity, but a competitive advantage.

Market Analysis: The Strategic Case to Buy Green Coffee from Vietnam in 2026

Why is Q1 2026 the optimal moment to execute your procurement strategy in Vietnam? The answer lies in the hard data. The market is currently experiencing a decoupling of price and volume that favors the buyer.

The “Liquidity Event” and Price Correction

The primary driver for the decision to buy green coffee from Vietnam right now is the price.

The Data: As of January 7, 2026, fresh green coffee prices in the Vietnamese domestic market are trading between 97,500 and 98,300 VND/kg.
The Delta: This represents a significant decrease of 18% (approx. 21,000 VND/kg) year-on-year.
The Driver: This correction is not due to a lack of global demand (which is at a record high of 169–170 million bags). Rather, it is a localized “liquidity event.” Farmers and agents are engaging in “aggressive selling” to clear warehouse space and generate cash flow before the Lunar New Year (Tet).

The Volume Guarantee

While other origins are “sold out” or facing logistical paralysis, Vietnam is delivering physical goods at record speeds.

Export Velocity: In the first two months of the 2025-2026 crop year alone, Vietnam exported 2.63 million bags, a massive 51.9% increase compared to the same period in the previous season.
Risk Mitigation: By choosing to buy green coffee from Vietnam now, you are hedging against the supply deficits in Indonesia (where floods are cutting exports by 15%) and the potential yield losses in Brazil due to heatwaves.

Defining the Asset: What to Buy?

To source effectively, you must understand that “Vietnam Coffee” is not a monolith. It is a spectrum of grades and processes. Success depends on matching the right specification to your roasting needs.

1. The Standard: Robusta Grade 1, Screen 18

When you buy green coffee from Vietnam for commercial blending, this is the benchmark.

Specs: Max 2% Black & Broken beans. Min 90% retention on Screen 18 (7.1mm).
Application: High-caffeine blends, instant coffee, and retail whole bean where visual uniformity matters.
2026 Insight: Due to favorable drying weather in Dak Lak, the quality of the current S18 crop is exceptionally high, with consistent color and low moisture.

2. The Upgrade: Wet Polished Robusta

This is the most strategic asset in 2026. As Arabica prices rise, roasters are using Wet Polished Robusta to substitute for low-grown Central American beans.

The Process: High-pressure water friction removes the silverskin and cleans the bean surface.
The Value: It removes the “earthy” and “woody” notes typical of dry-processed Robusta, leaving a clean, neutral, and heavy-bodied cup.
Recommendation: If you are blending for espresso, pay the small premium to buy green coffee from Vietnam that has been polished. It allows you to use a higher percentage of Robusta without compromising consumer perception.

3. The Niche: Arabica from Lam Dong

Don’t overlook the Arabica potential. Sourced from the high elevations of Cau Dat and Lac Duong, these “Fully Washed” beans offer clean acidity and notes of pine and nut. They are a cost-effective alternative to Brazilian or Honduran Arabicas.

Sourcing Strategy: How to Buy Green Coffee from Vietnam Safely

The mechanism of trade is as important as the product itself. In 2026, the market is professionalizing, but risks remain.

Manufacturer vs. Trader: The Vetting Rule

When looking to buy green coffee from Vietnam, the most critical distinction is between a “Trader” and a “Manufacturer.”

The Trader: Acts as a broker. They buy parchment from collectors and sell to you. They often lack control over the final sorting quality.
The Manufacturer: A vertically integrated entity (like Halio Coffee) that owns the dry mill, the density tables, and the optical color sorters.
The Strategy: Always contract with the Manufacturer. In a year where prices have dropped 18%, traders are under margin pressure and may be tempted to cut corners on quality (e.g., blending in Grade 2 beans). Manufacturers focus on volume and plant efficiency, ensuring consistent adherence to “Grade 1” standards.

Incoterms: Control the Logistics

FOB (Free On Board) Ho Chi Minh City: This is the preferred term for professional buyers. It gives you control over the ocean freight and insurance. You nominate the forwarder, ensuring you get the best rates and visibility.
CIF (Cost, Insurance, and Freight): Use this only if you lack a logistics department. Be aware that the supplier may choose the cheapest (and slowest) shipping line to maximize their margin.

Regulatory Compliance: The EUDR Mandate

If you are based in Europe, or if you re-export to Europe, the decision to buy green coffee from Vietnam in 2026 is governed by the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR).

The Requirement: You cannot import coffee without proof that it was produced on land that has not been deforested since 2020.
The Data: This requires geolocation coordinates (polygons) for every farm contributing to the lot.
The Execution: Before signing a contract, audit the supplier’s traceability system. Ask to see the map of their supply shed. If they offer a general “Regional Certificate,” they are non-compliant. Leading Vietnamese exporters are now using satellite data to verify these claims.

Technical Audit: A Due Diligence Checklist

When issuing a Purchase Order (PO) to buy green coffee from Vietnam, specificity is your shield. Do not rely on generic grade descriptions. Attach this technical addendum to your contract.

1. Moisture Content & Water Activity

Standard: 12.0% – 12.5% at the time of loading.
Why: Shipping from tropical Vietnam to temperate climates carries a high risk of “ship’s sweat” (condensation). If beans are loaded at 13%, they will likely arrive moldy.
Water Activity (aw): Must be below 0.60 to prevent microbial growth.

2. The “Crop Year” Clause

Risk: With the new crop trading 18% lower than old stock, there is a high risk of suppliers blending in old, woody beans (“past crop”) to clear inventory.
Requirement: Explicitly state “Crop Year 2025/2026 Only” on the contract.
Verification: Request a “Crop Year Certificate” and perform a sensory check on the Pre-Shipment Sample (PSS). Old crop smells like straw or burlap; new crop smells grassy and fresh.

3. Packaging Specifications

Bulk vs. Bag: For large roasters, buying in Bulk Container Liners (21 tons per 20ft container) is the most cost-effective method.
Quality Protection: If buying in bags (60kg), demand GrainPro or Ecotact hermetic liners. The small cost premium is an insurance policy against moisture damage and flavor fade during transit.

Red Flags: Warning Signs in the Market

As you navigate the market to buy green coffee from Vietnam, be vigilant against these common malpractices.

🚩 The “Too Good to Be True” Price: If a supplier offers a price significantly below the daily replacement cost (e.g., trading at a negative differential when the market is flat), they are likely planning to ship high-moisture coffee (selling you water) or heavily defective beans.
🚩 The “Screen 18” Bait: A supplier sends a perfect Screen 18 PSS, but the arrival shipment is 20% Screen 16.
- Defense: Mandate a Third-Party Inspection (SGS or CafeControl) at the port of loading. Payment is released only upon a clean inspection report.
🚩 Lack of Milling Infrastructure: If a supplier cannot show you photos or videos of their own color sorters, they are a trader. Your risk of receiving foreign matter (stones, wood) increases significantly.

Summary: Capitalizing on the Buyer’s Window

The decision to buy green coffee from Vietnam in early 2026 is one of the most mathematically sound strategies available to a procurement manager. You are accessing the world’s most robust supply chain at a price point that has corrected by 18%, effectively allowing you to lower your Weighted Average Cost of Goods (WACOG) while the rest of the market struggles with Arabica volatility.

However, this window is finite. The current “aggressive selling” phase will end as the harvest concludes and farmers become sufficiently capitalized. Domestic stocks will move into strong hands, and prices will likely firm up. The strategic move is to lock in your core volume now—prioritizing “Wet Polished” grades and EUDR compliance—before the market dynamic shifts back in favor of the seller.

You have now secured the physical asset. The final piece of the puzzle is determining the optimal financial structure for these contracts to protect your margin against currency shifts and market rallies.

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