Heavy rain cuts coffee yields and quality in Vietnam's Gia Lai
Growers report smaller beans and falling harvests, while a coffee exporter warns of supply shortages and higher procurement costs.
Coffee farmers in Vietnam's Gia Lai Province say prolonged rainfall has damaged their 2026 crop, reducing harvests and bean quality after years of drought and water shortages. A Tuoi Tre survey covering three coffee-growing areas in the province found that excessive rain had lowered yields.
Ta Thi Huyen, a grower in Ia Hrung Commune, expects less than 50 metric tons of fresh cherries from her 3-hectare farm, compared with around 60 metric tons last year. She said persistent rain had encouraged diseases and pests, caused young cherries to fall and washed pesticides off plants soon after spraying.
In Bien Ho Commune, a farmer identified by the changed name Nguyen Van An expects output to decline by around 20 per cent from the previous crop. He said most beans collected in his first early-season harvest were classified as Grade 2 or Grade 3 rather than Grade 1, with smaller beans commanding lower prices.
Nguyen Manh Hung, CEO of Nafoods Group, said processors and exporters faced possible shortages, uneven bean quality, rising purchasing costs and problems fulfilling delivery commitments. He warned that drought, unusual rainfall and temperature changes could disrupt harvesting and cause volatility in global Robusta prices.
Hung called for locally suitable varieties, water-saving irrigation, healthier soils, more diverse farming practices and data-based monitoring of weather and crop threats. He also urged closer cooperation between growers, cooperatives and businesses.
Gia Lai had nearly 109,000 hectares planted with coffee, predominantly Robusta, and produced more than 341,000 metric tons in 2025, according to its Sub-Department of Crop Production and Plant Protection. The province aims to add 35,500 hectares to raw-material production areas connected to deeper processing by 2030.
