On September 28, during a working trip to Europe, a delegation from the Viet Nam Coffee - Cocoa Association (VICOFA) held a working session with the Centre for the Promotion of Imports from developing countries (CBI) to discuss potential cooperation in developing Viet Nam's coffee industry.
The meeting was attended by Mr. Nguyen Nam Hai, Chairman of VICOFA, along with representatives of coffee producers, processors, exporters, equipment suppliers, and training institutions. Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Thach, Editor-in-Chief of the Vietnam Agriculture and Environment Newspaper, accompanied the delegation as part of a program to promote Vietnamese coffee.
Mr. Nguyen Nam Hai, Chairman of VICOFA and head of the delegation, briefs the Centre for the Promotion of Imports from developing countries (CBI) on Viet Nam's coffee industry.CBI is part of the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) and is funded by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The organization supports small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in partner countries to access the Dutch and broader European markets, closely linking this with the transition towards sustainable production and trade.
At the meeting, VICOFA highlighted the strengths of Viet Nam's coffee sector and expressed a desire to ramp up the promotion of Robusta to European importers and roasters. The association proposed collaborating on market intelligence, business matchmaking, quality enhancement and developing a supply chain that meets environmental and social responsibility standards.
Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Thach, Editor-in-Chief of the Vietnam Agriculture and Environment Newspaper, speaks at the working session between VICOFA and CBI.A key point emphasized by the delegation was the priority of supporting smallholder farmers. Discussions underscored that elevating coffee value must begin at the cultivation areas by improving farming techniques, nurturing and restoring soil health, and upgrading product quality while enhancing climate change resilience. Training activities must be practical, accessible, and tailored to farmers' actual production conditions.
VICOFA also proposed stepping up dissemination and guidance regarding the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), helping farmers understand the requirements and coordinate with businesses on traceability. This necessitates strong linkages among smallholders, buyers, processors, and exporters.
The VICOFA delegation poses for a photo with partners in the Netherlands.On its part, CBI introduced its market research system, providing insights into buyer requirements and enterprise support activities. These resources are available for free on the CBI website, helping businesses understand consumer trends, market access conditions, and business opportunities in Europe.
Representatives of the Centre for the Promotion of Imports from developing countries (CBI) converse with the VICOFA delegation.Lessons from CBI’s coffee project in Uganda also served as a valuable reference. That project focused on linking export enterprises with farmers, providing training on climate-resilient farming practices, and strengthening traceability.
During the exchange, CBI representatives stated they are exploring the possibility of developing a support program for Viet Nam's coffee industry aimed at 2027. Providing additional data on the value chain and actual needs from VICOFA will help clarify target beneficiaries and priority areas, ultimately aiming to boost enterprise competitiveness and increase benefits for coffee growers.