Son La Coffee Blossoms Amid a Busy Harvest
On November 2, although there was no reference price on international exchanges, Vietnam’s coffee prices remained high, averaging around 116,800 VND/kg, up 500 VND/kg from the previous weekend. Meanwhile, the global coffee market showed mixed movements: Robusta futures for January 2026 slightly increased to USD 4,540/ton, while Arabica for December 2025 delivery dropped sharply by USD 240, to USD 8,640/ton.
However, compared to the same period last year, Vietnam’s coffee prices remain strong — especially Arabica, a premium variety that is attracting growing attention in the country.
Arabica Son La – The Highlight of the 2025 Crop
According to Vuong Van Hai, Chairman of the Son La Coffee Association, this year marks a truly “flourishing” season for Son La coffee. The price of fresh coffee cherries has reached 30,000 VND/kg, the highest ever, up 50% from the same period last year. Converted to green beans, Arabica Son La is now valued at about 195,000 VND/kg — a record figure in recent years.
Son La is currently Vietnam’s largest Arabica-growing region, with about 30,000 hectares concentrated in districts such as Thuan Chau, Mai Son, and Bac Yen. Average yields reach 10–15 tons of fresh cherries per hectare, providing a significant income for local farmers.
Labor Rush to the Coffee Farms
This year’s Son La coffee harvest is “hot” not only due to high prices but also because of surging labor demand. Wages for coffee pickers have doubled, rising from 250–300 VND/kg to about 500–600 VND/kg.
According to Mr. Hai, “Skilled coffee pickers can earn up to 1 million VND per day. The attractive income has drawn many seasonal workers — even restaurant staff and contracted factory workers — to temporarily leave their jobs for this harvest season.”
Opportunities for Son La Specialty Coffee
With strong prices, stable yields, and improving quality, new opportunities are opening up for Son La’s specialty coffee. Thanks to its high-altitude terrain and cool climate, Arabica Son La offers a clean, delicate flavor with a sweet aftertaste, aligning well with the trend toward premium-quality coffee.
As Vietnam accelerates its coffee exports to major markets such as China, South Korea, and Europe, enterprises and cooperatives in Son La are ramping up investments in wet processing, deep processing, and planting-area certification to increase product value.
The 2025 harvest season marks a significant transformation for Son La coffee — not only through record-high prices but also through encouraging signs of better farmer incomes and expanded cultivation areas. With a sustainable development strategy and focus on quality, Son La is asserting its position as Vietnam’s “Arabica capital” — a bright spot in the nation’s coffee industry.
