Money
Vietnam lockdown leads to global coffee supply strain
Vietnam’s recent lockdown has added supply chain concerns to the coffee industry
The exporting hub of Ho Chi Minh, otherwise known as Saigon, has been kept under tough travel restrictions after a surge in cases of the Delta variant of the coronavirus.
Vietnam is one of the major producers of robusta coffee beans, the bitter tasting bean used in instant coffee and some espresso blends.
Wholesale robusta bean prices have risen by about 50% so far this year
The lockdown of the South-Eastern city of Ho Chi Minh means Vietnam’s exporters are struggling to transport goods. including coffee beans, to ports for shipment around the world.
The travel restrictions present yet another problem to exporters already faced with a serious shortage of shipping containers and soaring freight costs.