Vietnam is the world’s second-largest coffee producer and the top robusta exporter, Indonesia offers celebrated arabica origins from Sumatra to Java, and Thailand is emerging in specialty arabica from the northern highlands. For roasters, brands and ingredient buyers, ASEAN combines volume, distinctive origins and improving specialty quality.
Origins and Products
- Vietnam — robusta for espresso blends and instant coffee; growing arabica in Da Lat; spray-dried and freeze-dried instant.
- Indonesia — Sumatra Mandheling, Java, Sulawesi and specialty wet-hulled profiles; also premium teas from Java and Sumatra.
- Thailand — highland arabica from Chiang Rai and Doi Chang; oolong and specialty teas.
Quality and Grading
Coffee trades on screen size, defect counts and cup score. Specify grade (e.g. robusta Grade 1 screen 16+, arabica specialty 84+ points), moisture 11–12.5%, and processing method (washed, natural, honey, wet-hulled). Tea is graded by leaf style (OP, BOP) and origin certification. Always contract against a pre-shipment sample approved by your cupping team.
Certifications
- Organic — EU Organic and USDA NOP equivalence.
- Fairtrade / Rainforest Alliance — for retail and brand programmes.
- Food safety — HACCP at mills; mycotoxin (ochratoxin A) and pesticide-residue testing for EU compliance.
Pricing and Logistics
Robusta and arabica track the London and New York exchanges — most contracts price at differential to the terminal market. Indicative differentials move with harvest cycles; MOQs are typically one 20-foot container (≈19–21 MT green coffee in bags or GrainPro). Transit to EU 25–35 days, US West Coast 18–25 days. Hermetic liners protect quality in transit.
Quality Control
Pre-shipment QC covers moisture and water activity, defect count against the approved sample, cupping verification, and container loading supervision with liner and desiccant checks.
How TUSKO Helps
We connect you with vetted exporters, cooperatives and mills, arrange samples and cupping logistics, structure contracts with fees built into your landed cost, and verify every shipment before it sails.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I buy small specialty lots? Yes — micro-lots of 5–30 bags are available from Thai and Indonesian origins at premium pricing.
Do you work with instant and extracts? Yes — Vietnamese spray-dried and freeze-dried plants offer private-label programs.
How are prices hedged? Contracts can fix outright or price against the exchange; we explain both structures before you commit.
Ready to source coffee or tea from ASEAN? Message us on WhatsApp @tuskoconsulting or email contact@tuskoconsulting.com — we reply within 12-24 hours.