Vietnam food and beverage news covers the latest developments in one of the country’s most rapidly growing industries. Vietnamese love to eat and drink and with this in mind, this section tracks Vietnam food and beverage news including key regulations, data points, and developments.

Heineken to halt making beer at central Vietnam factory on declining sales

the-shiv June 25, 2024

This is on the back of declining sales that the firm is attributing to broader economic challenges but also Decree 100 which reduced the allowed blood alcohol content when driving in Vietnam to zero. Decree 100 has repeatedly fallen into the cross-hairs of local alcohol producers, distributors, and retailers in Vietnam over the last year or so…

Korean Soju to be made in Vietnam from 2026

the-shiv June 18, 2024

HiteJinro Group will join a slew of other well-known beverage makers with factories in Vietnam including Heineken, Coca-Cola, and Pepsi. These firms stand to benefit from not only a rapidly growing consumer market in Vietnam but also a number of benefits that come with manufacturing in Vietnam including low-cost labour and tax incentives…

Vietnam looking at introducing sugar tax on soft drinks

the-shiv June 15, 2024

Dubbed the ‘sugar tax’ this has been raised several times in the past. The American Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam came out against the idea back in 2018 arguing there was no evidence legislating a sugar tax would reduce consumption of sugary drinks. That said, a study on a similar tax in Mexico found that the consumption of sugary beverages fell 6 percent in its first year of implementation…

Vietnam ministry proposes 100 percent special consumption tax on alcohol

the-shiv June 14, 2024

Of note, major beer makers in Vietnam, including the makers of the popular Beer Saigon and Beer Hanoi brands reported falling profits in 2023. A crackdown on drink-driving has partially been blamed alongside the pending increase in taxes on alcoholic beverages–though nothing has been confirmed and its not clear how a future tax increase might have influenced last years sales.

Several Starbucks have gone cashless in Vietnam

the-shiv June 9, 2024

In terms of reducing the security risks associated with handling cash, this move by these Starbucks stores makes sense. As far as speed and convenience go, however, it’s not clear that this has been achieved. Of note, QR code transfers can sometimes take some time with multiple steps involved–logging to a bank account, scanning the code, approving the purchase etcetera.

UK Pork approved for export to Vietnam

the-shiv May 25, 2024

Of note, back in March it was reported that the a submission had been made by Vietnamese meat producers to the Government of Vietnam requesting additional technical barriers on imported meats. This was necessary, they argued, to level the playing field with other meat producing countries.

Vietnam meat producers request government intervention in meat imports

the-shiv March 15, 2024

The Vietnam Livestock Association and the Animal Feed, Large Livestock and Poultry Breeding associations have made a submission to the Government of Vietnam requesting additional technical barriers on imported meats, Tuoi Tre is reporting. The associations are essentially arguing that Vietnam’s technical requirements for meat imports are lax relative to

Vietnam beer makers report fall in profits on DUI crackdown, alcohol tax

the-shiv February 20, 2024

Major beer makers in Vietnam including the makers of the popular Beer Saigon and Beer Hanoi brands have reported falling profits in 2023, The Investor is reporting. The publication goes on to say this is due to a crackdown on drink-driving and a ‘pending alcohol tax’. On the latter, it’s

Rising coffee prices see farmers refuse to fulfil orders: Reuters

the-shiv February 6, 2024

Vietnam’s coffee farmers are refusing to fill orders looking to renegotiate their contracts in light of higher than expected coffee prices, Reuters is reporting. The publication goes on to say that what started as a local problem is now starting to impact the global coffee market. Incidentally, The Investor carried

Vietnam coffee brand abandons kiosks, opens coffee shops instead

the-shiv February 6, 2024

Vietnam’s Phuc Long Coffee & Tea is set to expand its presences in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City in 2024 by up to 60 stores, World Coffee Portal is reporting. The company,a subsidiary of major Vietnam food and beverage conglomerate, Masan Group, is aiming to hit year-on-year sales growth

Calls for reform in Vietnam coffee industry as supplies dwindle

the-shiv February 5, 2024

In an opinion piece in The Investor Phan Minh Thong, general director of Phuc Sinh Group, a local coffee exporter, argues that there needs to be greater fairness in Vietnam’s coffee industry. In particular, he suggests agreements with international buyers are often weighted to the advantage of the buyer but

Vietnamese coffee reaches highest price ever

the-shiv January 17, 2024

Coffee prices in Vietnam hit 72,500 (US$$2.87) per kilo today the highest price ever, VN Express is reporting. The publication credits this to concerns about supply shortages due ships avoiding the Suez Canal due to conflict in the Red Sea and instead going around Africa. Vietnam coffee prices, Dak Lak,

Nestle to double processing capacity at southern Vietnam plant

the-shiv January 10, 2024

Nestle intends to drop an additional US$100 million on its plant in Vietnam’s Tri An province to double its processing capacity, Vietnam News is reporting. The factory currently processes Vietnamese coffee for export to 29 countries. Notably Nestle is the biggest buyer of coffee in Vietnam, buying up around US$700

Bloomberg outlines challenges facing Vietnam’s coffee farmers

the-shiv December 20, 2023

Up to half of Vietnam’s current coffee farming land may be unusable in 50 years according to Philipp Navratil, global head of Nestle’s coffee strategic business unit, and quoted by Bloomberg. Local farmers are reportedly pulling out coffee plants in favour of more weather resistant crops like avocado and durian.

Snapshot: Vietnam’s Coffee Industry, November 2023

the-shiv December 16, 2023

Each month the-shiv provides a snapshot of Vietnam’s coffee industry covering the latest developments, key performance indicators, and government data. Business picked up for Vietnam’s coffee producers in November as the coffee harvest entered full swing. Exports topped US$327 a big jump from US$168 million back in October. There were

Vietnam coffee consumption to increase 32 percent by 2027: Euromonitor

the-shiv December 12, 2023

Vietnam will lead growth in coffee consumption in Southeast Asia with Euromonitor predicting the local market to grow by 32 percent, Nikkei Asia is reporting. However, the article notes that competition is fierce and that many local brands in Vietnam are expanding overseas. See also: How to Open a Cafe

Chinese coffee chain opens first Vietnam store in HCMC

the-shiv December 12, 2023

China’s Cotti Coffee has opened its first store in Ho Chi Minh City, the World Coffee Portal is reporting. This is in line with a number of international coffee chains looking to enter Vietnam’s consumer coffee market. Data included in the article claims Vietnam to be East Asia’s fifth biggest

Vietnam coffee exports to fall on smaller crops, higher local demand

the-shiv December 6, 2023

Vietnamese farmers are cutting down coffee plants and growing durians and avocados instead, and this, alongside growing local demand for coffee, may see Vietnam’s coffee exports decline, according to Ha Nam, deputy chairman of the Vietnam Coffee Cocoa Association, Bloomberg is reporting. See also: Snapshot: Vietnam’s Coffee Industry, October 2023

Korean food delivery service to exit Vietnam December 8

the-shiv November 24, 2023

A couple of months ago Korea’s Baemin announced it would be scaling back its operations in Vietnam, today it has said it will leave the market altogether, VN Express is reporting. At the end of the day, it looks like the market was just too competitive and low value. Grab

Japanese food and beverage firms buys Vietnam dairy company

the-shiv November 23, 2023

Vietnam’s New Viet Dairy, an importer, exported, and distributor of speciality dairy and deli products, has been sold to Japan’s Sojitz Corporation, The Investor is reporting. The value of the sale is not disclosed, however, New Viet Dairy reported revenue of US$320 million last year.