Organic coffee purchased at twice the market price

Remaining consistent to overcome obstacles

Mr. Tran Mai Binh (Di Linh district, Lam Dong province) is well-known for establishing and advocating a high-quality coffee model and organic coffee in the Di Linh district. 

The farmer disclosed that his family has been engaged in coffee cultivation for several decades and has experienced ups and downs as a result of coffee price fluctuations. In 2019, upon realizing that traditional coffee cultivation yielded relatively low returns, he researched and decided to switch to organic high-quality coffee production. 

In addition to harvesting the mature fruit, processing must adhere to a technical procedure, etc., for the coffee product to reach the "high quality" standard. The production and care of the trees in the fields must be decisive. The entire crop maintains a yield of nearly 4 tons of kernels per hectare; however, when the source of chemical fertilizers and plant protection medicines is cut off, the plant is abruptly reduced and productivity is severely impacted.

By 2021-2022, the coffee plantation will have progressively recovered and returned to a high yield of close to 3.5 tons of kernels per hectare (ha) due to the consistent implementation of organic production. At the same time, an associate in Ho Chi Minh City purchased coffee from Mr. Binh's family at a higher price than traditional local coffee. This is also the time to dispel all doubts regarding Mr. Binh's new approach and demonstrate that high-quality products can thrive in a volatile market.

Also during this time, Mr. Binh, along with three other local households, founded the Hoa Linh Coffee Cooperative Group, which has since evolved into the Hoa Linh Coffee Cooperative with a raw material area of up to 15ha.

The price of organic coffee is double the market price

Mr. Binh continues to produce organic coffee utilizing the new strategy, which has proven effective. Consequently, in 2022, with the assistance of Lam Dong Agricultural Extension Center, his family began the construction of an organic coffee garden model by Vietnamese national standards (National Standards TCVN).

Previously, the family produced the trees in the garden according to the high-quality coffee model, in an organic orientation, so the transition to organic standards according to TCVN was not particularly challenging. It is essential to adhere to the standards, meet the conditions, and monitor the prescribed indicators.

In the current organic coffee paradigm, Mr. Binh's family maintains the garden grass to keep the soil hydrated and provide a habitat for microorganisms. His family uses organic fertilizers, biological products, etc. from the fertilizer-approved list to assure the sustenance of plants and prevent parasites and diseases.

Additionally, the family processes and composts coffee shells as an organic fertilizer for plants. Thanks to organic cultivation, the garden's humidity is always assured. Numerous microorganisms, particularly nematodes, appear to proliferate rapidly in the soil, making it porous. The garden's ecosystem is guaranteed, nutrients and hydration are always maintained, and so the coffee is healthy and produces more than 3.5 tons of kernels per hectare.

Currently, all 4.5ha of Mr. Binh's coffee has been certified organic by TCVN, and domestic partners have purchased the family's coffee products at higher prices than usual. He stated that he is promoting the development of high-quality, organic coffee among Hoa Linh Coffee Cooperative members.

The cooperative is currently constructing a 15-hectare material area and plans to meet organic standards this year. The development of organic coffee has contributed to the increase in value, quality improvement, and protection of the producers, consumers, and the environment's health. By 2024, the Hoa Linh Coffee Cooperative intends to replicate and expand the organic production area to 30 hectares.

Ms. Dinh Thi Thuy Van (Mr. Binh's wife) stated that Hoa Linh Coffee's coffee products entered the TOP 10 specialty coffees at the Vietnam Specialty Coffee 2023 - Vietnam Amazing Cup 2023 in Buon Me Thuot (Dak Lak) in April 2023. A roaster and roaster paid eight times the market price for a quantity of coffee in this competition. According to Ms. Thuy Van, Hoa Linh Coffee currently manufactures six varieties of products at varying prices to accommodate market demand.

Mr. Vu Hong Long, the head of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Di Linh district (Lam Dong), stated that the district as a whole has over 45,000 hectares of coffee with an annual production of approximately 145 thousand tons, with approximately 95% of the local coffee being exported. The global trend, according to Mr. Long, is to increase the production and consumption of organic products. Therefore, the community is encouraging individuals, businesses, cooperative organizations, and cooperatives to prioritize organic coffee production in order to increase its value.