EU backed project to boost Vietnam s sustainable coffee exports

Funded by the European Union's Global Gateway initiative and led by CARE International in partnership with local entities, a new EU-backed project named SustainCoffee aims to bolster Vietnam's sustainable coffee exports. Operating from December 2025 to May 2029 in the provinces of Dak Lak and Son La, the initiative targets over 400 micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises and cooperatives, with an estimated indirect impact on around 1.4 million coffee farmers and supply chain workers.

As Vietnam's coffee sector grapples with mounting demands to comply with environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards, particularly within the European market which accounted for 38% of the country's coffee exports in the 2025-2026 season, SustainCoffee steps in to address critical gaps. While 84% of surveyed coffee cooperatives and enterprises have embraced environmental and social sustainability measures, only 44% engage in formal governance practices, with no recorded instances of sustainability reporting or access to green credit.

Traceability remains limited, with only approximately 30% of Vietnam's 2025 coffee production covered by certified or traceable supply chains.

The project seeks to equip businesses with practical tools and training to meet ESG requirements, enhance transparency, and engage more effectively in responsible global value chains. Gonzalo Serrano de la Rosa, deputy head of cooperation at the EU Delegation to Vietnam, emphasized that SustainCoffee will bolster Vietnamese coffee businesses' competitiveness and participation in responsible global trade.

Le Kim Dung, country director of CARE International in Vietnam, highlighted the importance of making sustainable transitions commercially viable and socially inclusive, stressing that while many enterprises are making efforts, they frequently lack the necessary resources and support to demonstrate their advancements.