AsemconnectVietnam - Domestic coffee and pepper prices remained firm, while rice export prices edged lower on March 4, according to https://www.baomoi.com.

Domestic coffee prices remained firm
Domestic coffee prices remained firm above 95,000 Vietnamese dong per kilogram, with traders forecasting a potential test of the 96,500–97,500 dong range in coming sessions.
Vietnam’s Ministry of Agriculture and Environment estimated February coffee exports at 170,000 metric tonnes worth $808 million. In the first two months of 2026, exports totaled 394,300 tonnes valued at $1.89 billion — up 22.9% in volume and 6.3% in value year-on-year.
Average export prices during the January–February period were estimated at $4,791 per tonne, down 13.5% from a year earlier.
Among Vietnam’s top 15 export destinations, shipments to China posted the strongest growth, rising nearly fourfold. Exports to Germany, Vietnam’s largest market, increased 44.4%, while shipments to Spain rose nearly 51%.
Domestic coffee prices remained firm above 95,000 Vietnamese dong per kilogram, with traders forecasting a potential test of the 96,500–97,500 dong range in coming sessions.
Global coffee prices fell on both major exchanges on Tuesday, reversing gains from the previous session as investors adopted a cautious stance amid currency pressure and escalating geopolitical tensions.
On the ICE Futures Europe exchange in London, May 2026 robusta coffee settled down $67 at $3,705 per metric ton, while July contracts fell $52 to $3,624 per ton. Trading volume was moderate.
On ICE Futures U.S. in New York, May 2026 arabica coffee declined 1.45 cents to 283.15 cents per pound, with July futures down 1.2 cents to 278.50 cents per pound on strong trading volume.
The retreat followed a sharp appreciation in the U.S. dollar and renewed weakness in Brazil’s real, which slipped to its lowest level in roughly six weeks. A weaker real typically encourages Brazilian producers to accelerate exports, increasing selling pressure on futures markets.
In Brazil, spot arabica trading volumes remained subdued as growers adopted a wait-and-see approach amid exchange-rate volatility and futures market swings. Robusta activity was comparatively stronger.
Weather forecasts from local forecaster Climatempo indicate stable conditions early in the week in key producing areas of southern Minas Gerais and the Cerrado region, with scattered light showers. Moderate rainfall is expected later in the week, potentially improving soil moisture levels.
Supply Outlook Weighs on Market
Longer-term supply projections continue to cap gains. Brazil’s 2026 crop is estimated at 66.2 million bags, while Rabobank projects global output to reach 180 million bags, reinforcing expectations of ample supply.
However, short-term geopolitical disruptions have injected fresh volatility into the market. Escalating tensions in the Middle East have disrupted shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz, raising global freight, insurance and fuel costs — factors that could increase import expenses for coffee roasters and traders.
Vietnam, the world’s largest robusta producer, continues to face tight supply conditions, supporting robusta fundamentals. Global stock replenishment remains gradual, keeping the market sensitive to any supply constraints.
Market participants said technical corrections, weather developments and heightened macroeconomic uncertainty were driving cautious positioning. Investors are also adjusting portfolios amid rising risk aversion and a stronger dollar.
Vietnam pepper prices steady despite lower yields
Domestic pepper prices in Vietnam remained stable in the range of 145,000–146,000 dong per kilogram on March 4, even as output declines due to unfavorable weather conditions.
Although yields have fallen, farmers are entering the harvest season with optimism as prices continue to hold at elevated levels. Industry experts said surveys across key pepper-growing regions indicate production has dropped by 10–15%, or even more in some areas.
Trading levels in major producing provinces were as follows:
• Dak Lak: 146,000 dong/kg
• Dak Nong (Lam Dong province): 146,000 dong/kg
• Gia Lai: 145,500 dong/kg
• Dong Nai: 145,000 dong/kg
• Binh Phuoc: 145,000 dong/kg
• Ba Ria–Vung Tau: 146,000 dong/kg
Analysts noted that while higher prices are improving farmer incomes, the industry remains cautious about expanding acreage too rapidly, recalling previous boom-and-bust cycles driven by oversupply.
Rice export prices edged lower
According to the Vietnam Food Association, export rice prices eased slightly:
• 5% broken rice: $400–$415 per ton
• Jasmine rice: $430–$434 per ton
• 100% broken rice: $316–$320 per ton
Leading global shipping companies, including Denmark’s Maersk, MSC, Germany’s Hapag-Lloyd and France’s CMA CGM, announced temporary suspensions of transit through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for nearly 25% of global oil shipments.
Maersk said it would reroute vessels via the Cape of Good Hope and temporarily close offices in the UAE, Qatar and Oman. MSC instructed vessels in the Gulf to move to designated safe areas. CMA CGM also suspended transits through the Suez Canal.
International Maritime Organization Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez urged maximum caution, recommending ships avoid affected areas until conditions improve.
The aviation sector has also felt the impact. Brazil’s Guarulhos International Airport in São Paulo reported 17 flight cancellations to Doha and Dubai over the weekend. Emirates and Qatar Airways suspended multiple services, with additional cancellations reported at Rio de Janeiro’s Tom Jobim International Airport.
Airlines advised passengers to check flight status through official channels as suspensions are expected to remain in effect through early March.
Source: Vitic