Vietnam coffee sector faces deforestation crisis and sustainability push

Vietnam, the world’s second‑largest coffee producer, supplies almost 40% of global Robusta exports. A new investigation finds that forest cover in the Central Highlands – the region that yields 95% of the country’s coffee – fell from 42.8% in 1990 to 19% by 2020, driven by decades of unregulated coffee‑farm expansion supported by government policy and development financing. The loss has fragmented habitats, accelerated soil erosion and created a “nutrient treadmill” that forces farmers to increase fertilizer use. The report warns that climate‑related extremes could render half of Vietnam’s robusta belt unsuitable for coffee.

Industry leaders and environmental groups say the sector is shifting toward higher productivity and sustainability, promoting intercropping with shade trees, climate‑smart farming and better traceability to preserve exports and protect remaining forest ecosystems.