While keeping coffee import prices low from other countries, China has been quietly paying premium prices for Vietnamese coffee, significantly increasing its imports. As a result, Vietnam has become China’s third-largest coffee supplier, surpassing Ethiopia.

According to preliminary data from Vietnam Customs, in January 2024, China spent nearly $14 million to import 3,773 tons of coffee from Vietnam. This accounted for 4.8% of Vietnam’s total coffee exports, up from 2.8% in 2023.

In 2024, China has intensified its high-priced coffee imports from Vietnam, making it a major player in the market.

China increases coffee imports while paying premium for Vietnamese beans

Statistics from China Customs reveal that in 2024, China imported 190,900 tons of coffee from 58 countries and territories, with a total value of $972.6 million. This marks an increase of 24% in volume and 21.5% in value compared to 2023.

Notably, while China’s average coffee import price from the world fell by 2.1% to $5,095 per ton, the country’s average import price from Vietnam surged by 62.7%, reaching $4,176 per ton. Meanwhile, coffee import prices from Colombia and Ethiopia saw sharp declines.

China spent nearly $101 million to import 24,100 tons of coffee from Vietnam. Compared to 2023, the import volume increased by 65.8%, while the value skyrocketed by 169.8%.

As a result, Vietnam’s coffee market share in China jumped from 9.44% in 2023 to 12.62% in 2024, pushing Vietnam past Ethiopia to become China’s third-largest coffee supplier, trailing only Brazil and Colombia.

China emerges as a growing coffee consumer market

Experts note that in recent years, China has emerged as a major coffee consumption market, with import volumes steadily rising.

With its strong growth in coffee consumption, China presents a significant opportunity for Vietnamese coffee exporters. Vietnamese businesses are well-positioned to capitalize on geographical proximity and strong trade relations to further boost coffee exports to China in 2024.

Tam An