The province currently has 24,300 hectares of coffee, mainly in Muong Chanh, Chieng Mai, Chieng Mung, Muoi Noi, Thuan Chau and Sop Cop communes, and the wards of Chieng Coi and Chieng An. Output for the 2025-2026 crop year is estimated at over 37,700 tonnes of green beans. Experts attribute the price surge to reducing global supply and the US imposing tariffs of up to 50% on coffee from Brazil, which has driven sharp volatility in global coffee prices.

In fact, harvesting fully ripe coffee cherries delivers clear economic benefits. However, in some areas, farmers still pick indiscriminately, with unripe cherries accounting for 20-25% of the total. According to coffee companies, the recent price surge has prompted farmers to start harvesting early, but mixing in green cherries can cut output by more than 10%, while also reducing bean quality and affecting the trees’ growth in subsequent seasons.

In response, the Son La People’s Committee has ordered tighter oversight of coffee harvesting, processing, and production to ensure compliance with national standard TCVN 9278:2012. Farmers are instructed to pick only ripe cherries, with ripeness levels required to exceed 95%, meeting the standards for specialty and premium coffee destined for both domestic and export markets. They are also urged to avoid picking green cherries and causing damage to branches and leaves, which could affect yields in the following season.

The Department of Agriculture and Environment has been assigned to coordinate with relevant agencies and localities to guide farmers in properly following harvesting, processing, and preservation procedures. Processing facilities and enterprises are required to strictly comply with quality and environmental regulations, with violations made public through mass media channels.

Commune- and ward-level People’s Committees have been tasked with guiding and directing enterprises, cooperatives, and farmers to harvest and process coffee in line with standards. They must also publicly disclose the names of organisations and individuals purchasing unripe cherries, which could undermine quality and damage the “Son La Coffee” brand. Hamlet heads are responsible for supervising compliance to prevent the harvesting of green or immature cherries. Coffee buyers, processors, and producers in the province are required to source only cherries that meet quality standards and pledge not to buy unripe or low-quality ones to discourage early picking.

At the same time, the agriculture sector is working with local authorities to raise awareness and guide farmers in proper harvesting techniques, applying 4C, UTZ, and RA standards to develop high-quality coffee zones. Relevant agencies are also strengthening market supervision to prevent trade fraud and unauthorised coffee purchases, safeguarding the interests of both farmers and businesses.

Son La coffee has secured a solid foothold in both domestic and international markets. Farmers’ adherence to proper harvesting practices, coupled with deeper processing investment by enterprises and coordinated management from all-level authorities, forms the foundation for enhancing value and sustaining the reputation of the “Son La Coffee” brand.