HCMC – Vietnam’s coffee exports to South Korea fell in the first five months of this year as higher prices and shifting consumer preferences eroded the country’s market share, according to South Korean customs data.
South Korea imported 88,100 tons of coffee during the period, up 4.1% from a year earlier. Imports from Vietnam, however, declined 3.9% to 18,093 tons, lowering Vietnam’s share of the market to 20.53%, the lowest in three years.
The drop follows a sharp increase in Vietnam’s export prices, which rose more than 60% year-on-year to US$4,774 per tonne. The price level was higher than that of competitors such as Brazil and Ethiopia.
South Korean demand is also shifting toward specialty coffee, decaffeinated options, and ready-to-drink products. Vietnam’s exports remain dominated by raw robusta beans, which have limited appeal under current trends.
Importers in South Korea are increasingly turning to Brazil, Ethiopia, and Colombia, citing stable quality and more favorable logistics. Supply chain disruptions have also affected shipping costs and delivery times from Vietnam.
Analysts say Vietnam’s coffee sector risks losing ground in key markets unless exporters move up the value chain and align with changing consumer demands.
