FAQ
Buying from Vietnam: common questions
Quick answers for importers, roasters and food manufacturers sourcing coffee, cashews or cacao from Vietnam.
What coffee do you export?
We export Vietnamese robusta only, grown in Đắk Lắk, Gia Lai and Kon Tum in the Central Highlands. Standard grades are Robusta G1 Screen 18, G1 Screen 16, G2 Screen 13 and Fine Robusta, packed in 60 kg jute bags.
Which cashew grades can you supply?
White wholes W180, W240, W320 and W450, scorched wholes SW320, and white splits (WS) and large pieces (LP). The number in each grade is the count of kernels per pound, so W180 is the largest kernel and W450 the smallest.
Do you sell fermented cacao beans?
Yes. Our fermented cacao is Vietnamese Trinitario, box-fermented for 5 to 7 days and sun-dried, with a bean count of 100 or fewer per 100 g and a cut test of at least 80% well fermented. We also supply cocoa nibs, cocoa mass, cocoa butter and cocoa powder.
Which ports do you ship from, and on what terms?
We load at Tiên Sa Port in Da Nang or Cát Lái Port in Ho Chi Minh City, and quote FOB Da Nang, FOB Ho Chi Minh City, CFR or CIF to your destination port.
How much fits in a 20-foot container?
About 19.2 tonnes of robusta coffee (320 bags of 60 kg), about 15.9 tonnes of cashew kernels (700 cartons of 50 lb), or about 16 to 18 tonnes of cacao beans. We also ship 40-foot containers.
Can I get a sample before I order?
Yes. We send pre-shipment samples by courier, then agree grade, moisture, defect limits and packing in the contract before the lot is shipped.
When is harvest season in Vietnam?
Robusta coffee is harvested from October to January, peaking in November and December. Raw cashew nuts come in from February to May. Cacao has a main crop from December to May and a smaller mid crop from August to October. We ship all three year-round from warehouse stock.
Who inspects the goods, and what documents do I receive?
Every lot is inspected for quality and weight by SGS, Vinacontrol or a surveyor you nominate. Each shipment comes with a commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading, certificate of origin, phytosanitary certificate, fumigation certificate and quality and weight certificate.