VINAGRI News - China has emerged as the fastest-growing major destination for Vietnamese coffee, with export value surging 76.1% in the first half of 2026. The rapid growth comes as exports to traditional markets such as Germany, Italy and Japan decline, highlighting China's growing importance to Vietnam's coffee industry.
Summary:
> Vietnam exported 1.2 million metric tons of coffee worth US$5.45 billion in the first seven months of 2026.
> Export volume rose 10.8%, but export value fell 11.2% as the average export price dropped nearly 20%.
> Coffee exports to China surged 76.1% in H1 2026, while exports to Germany, Italy and Japan declined.
> China's coffee market is expanding rapidly, with Vietnam's market share rising from 8.8% to 15.3% in the first five months of 2026.
China leads growth in Vietnam's coffee exports
China has emerged as the fastest-growing major market for Vietnamese coffee, with export value rising 76.1% in the first half of 2026, even as shipments to several traditional markets declined.
According to a report from Vietnam's Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, Vietnam exported approximately 1.2 million metric tons of coffee during the first seven months of 2026, up 10.8% year on year. Export value, however, fell 11.2% to US$5.45 billion.
The decline in export revenue was mainly caused by lower coffee prices. The average export price during the January-July period was estimated at US$4,537 per metric ton, down 19.9% from the same period in 2025.
Germany, Italy and Japan remained Vietnam's three largest coffee export markets. However, export value during the first half of 2026 fell 21% in Germany, 6.5% in Italy and 9% in Japan.
By contrast, among Vietnam's 15 largest coffee export markets, China recorded the strongest growth, with export value increasing 76.1%.
China emerges as a fast-growing coffee market
China is increasingly regarded as an emerging growth market for coffee.
According to data from China's General Administration of Customs, the country's coffee imports totaled US$652 million during the first five months of 2026, up 8% from the same period in 2025.
Imports from Vietnam reached US$99.6 million, an increase of 87.1% year on year. As a result, Vietnam's share of China's coffee imports climbed to 15.3% during the first five months of 2026, nearly doubling from 8.8% a year earlier.
The rapid increase highlights Vietnam's growing presence in China's expanding coffee market, despite China not yet ranking among Vietnam's top 10 coffee export destinations.
Shanghai drives China's coffee consumption
According to the 2026 China Urban Coffee Development Report, Shanghai is the country's largest coffee consumption center.
By the end of 2025, Shanghai had 10,336 coffee shops, an increase of 1,221 outlets from a year earlier. The city's coffee market was valued at approximately US$53 billion, up 13.3% year on year.
Per capita coffee consumption also increased significantly, rising from 16.74 cups in 2023 to 28.57 cups in 2025.
Chinese consumers are increasingly showing interest in specialty coffee. The share of specialty coffee consumption rose from 8% to 31.6% between 2021 and 2025.
Another emerging trend is the combination of coffee with traditional Eastern ingredients, including tea-based coffee beverages and jasmine-flavored coffee.
These changing consumer preferences are creating opportunities for suppliers offering differentiated products and higher-value coffee varieties.
Brazil, Ethiopia and Colombia remain China's main suppliers
China's overall coffee import market has expanded significantly in recent years.
In 2025, China spent US$1.68 billion on coffee imports. Brazil was the largest supplier, with exports worth US$503 million, followed by Ethiopia at US$495 million and Colombia at US$182 million.
Although Vietnam's exports to China have grown rapidly, the country still faces strong competition from major coffee-producing countries, particularly in the supply of specialty and differentiated coffee products.
Nevertheless, Vietnam's sharply rising market share indicates that its position in China is strengthening at a rapid pace.
China's coffee market offers long-term growth potential
Despite its strong growth in the first half of 2026, China has yet to enter the top 10 coffee markets for Vietnamese exports. However, its importance is increasing quickly as domestic coffee consumption continues to expand.
Some market studies estimate that China's coffee market was worth approximately US$3.3 billion in 2025 and could reach US$5.4 billion by 2033, representing an average annual growth rate of 6.4% during 2026 - 2033.
For Vietnam, China's expanding coffee culture presents an opportunity to diversify export markets and reduce reliance on traditional destinations.
The combination of rising consumption, rapid growth in specialty coffee and increasing demand for innovative coffee products could make China an increasingly important destination for Vietnamese coffee in the coming years.
NPK/ Vinagri News
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