Coffee, husks, skins and substitutes market in Laos

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2019, the Lao coffee market grew, with volume rising from 127.5 thousand tonnes to 142.2 thousand tonnes. This expansion was supported by government and development partner initiatives to improve production, quality, and market access, particularly through a focus on premium Arabica coffee as outlined in the Eighth National Socio-Economic Development Plan.

Market volume contracted to 115.4 thousand tonnes in 2020, but recovered to 122.5 thousand tonnes in 2021. The rebound was aided by the National Strategy on Socio-Economic Development 2016-2025, which emphasized modern agricultural technology and an increase in processing capacity, boosting domestic output.

Growth continued from 2022 to 2023, with market volume reaching 146.9 thousand tonnes. This was driven by crop diversification, the development of eco-friendly coffee cultivation in northern regions, and the launch of the Project to Reinforce the Commercial Capacity of Coffee in Northern Laos, which strengthened the industry's commercial foundations.

Production coffee, husks, skins and substitutes in Laos

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Laos ranked 13th globally in the production of coffee, husks, skins, and substitutes.

Top producers of coffee, husks, skins and substitutes, 2017-2020

World map of production of coffee, husks, skins and substitutes, 2017-2020

Laos's production of coffee, husks, skins, and substitutes declined after a two-year period of growth. In 2020, the country produced 158.2 K t, which is 7.7% lower than in 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production increased by 4.9%, translating to an annualized growth rate of 1.6%. The peak production was recorded in 2019 at 171.4 K t, with the largest annual increase of 11.0% also occurring that year.

Annual dynamics of production in Laos in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports coffee, husks, skins and substitutes from Laos

Exports in kind, t

Laos's exports of coffee, husks, skins, and substitutes grew for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 42 816 t, marking a sharp increase of 46.5% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports rose by 41.9%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.4%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 26 971 t, which also saw the largest decline of 10.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Laos in kind, 2017-2020, t

Between 2017 and 2020, Vietnam, Japan, and Thailand were the primary markets for Laos's exports in kind. Vietnam accounted for 63.6% of exports, Japan for 8.4%, and Thailand for 8.1%, together representing 80.0% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Laos in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Laos's exports of coffee, husks, skins, and substitutes in value terms totaled 85 835 K $ US, up by 33.4% from the previous year. However, over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 10.1%, with a CAGR of -3.5%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 64 323 K $ US, which also experienced the largest decline of 33.5%. The peak value occurred in 2018 at 96 699 K $ US.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Laos in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Vietnam, Thailand, and Japan were the main buyers of coffee, husks, skins, and substitutes from Laos in value terms. Vietnam held a 58.3% share, Thailand 11.5%, and Japan 9.1%, collectively comprising 78.9% of total export value.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Laos in value, 2017-2020

Imports coffee, husks, skins and substitutes to Laos

Imports in kind, t

The import market for coffee, husks, skins, and substitutes in Laos showed an unstable trend from 2017 to 2020. Imports peaked in 2017 and reached their lowest point in 2019, with a 95-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Laos imported 1 t, which represents a 376.6% increase compared to 2019. The minimum import volume was recorded in 2019 at 1 t, which also saw the largest decline of 98.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Laos in kind, 2017-2020, t

Throughout 2017-2020, Vietnam and China were the core sources for Laos's imports in kind, jointly accounting for 96.6% of total import flows, while other countries had relatively minor shares.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Laos in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

Market performance for imports in value terms exhibited noticeable fluctuations during the period. The highest value was observed in 2018, while the lowest occurred in 2019, with a peak-to-trough ratio of 142 times. In 2020, imports totaled 16 K $ US, up by 555.2% from the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 2 K $ US, which also experienced the largest decline of 99.3%. The maximum value was in 2018 at 349 K $ US.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Laos in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Over 2017-2020, China and Vietnam remained the main suppliers of coffee, husks, skins, and substitutes to Laos in value terms, with a combined share of 96.9% of total imports. The remainder was fragmented across other countries.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Laos in value, 2017-2020