Vietnam's coffee export industry : an analysis of the potential long-term macroeconomic impacts

Abstract

Coffee, as a globally traded primary commodity, has historically been and continues to be one of the most valuable economic resources that is exported from the Global South. Vietnam has become the second largest and one of the fastest growing coffee exporters in the world all within a relatively short period of time. This particular export industry has expanded and developed to become an integral part of the Vietnamese national economy. The trajectory of Vietnam’s long-term macroeconomic development rests, to a large degree, on the future growth and direction in which this national industry pursues. This paper discusses and evaluates the degree to which Vietnam relies on coffee for its overall economic development as well as potential next steps for this particular industry to take in order to further guarantee it can continue to contribute to the long-term balanced and sustainable national macroeconomic development plans of the country.