Region: Vietnamese Coffee Makers Seek Outlets in Italy

Representatives from 11 Vietnamese leading coffee producers and exporters met with Italian businesses at a workshop in Rome on September 26 to study market demand and to seek Italian distribution partners. (Visit our gourmet select roasts HERE. Roasted specially for you)

Addressing the seminar, jointly held by the Vietnamese Embassy in Italy and the authorities of the Lazio region, President of the Vietnam Coffee Corporation (VINACAFE) Doan Dinh Thiem said that Vietnam is the second-largest coffee exporter in the world, holding a 20 per cent share of the world market with an average annual export volume of 840,000 tonnes. Vietnam also stands second, following Brazil, in exports of coffee to Italy, though he added that there is still substantial potential for further trade between the two countries.

During the past eight years Italy has imported on average 66,000 tonnes of coffee per year from Vietnam, becoming the fourth-largest importer from Vietnam, after Germany, the US and Spain.

Some of the largest coffee businesses in Italy have opened representative offices and commenced joint ventures in Vietnam. According to Vincenzo Sandalj, President of the Coffee Association of Trieste city, Vietnam has increased its market share in Italy as the taste of its coffee has met with Italian consumers requirements and palates.

He said Italy, the fifth-largest coffee importer in the world, with an annual growth rate of 6 per cent, holds still more opportunities for Vietnamese businesses.