(VNF) - The first “Vietnam Coffee Day” was officially opened at Lam Vien Square, Da Lat city, Lam Dong province on December 10^th.

The event attracts about 30 booths of coffee enterprises to showcase their products.

Speaking at the ceremony, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Le Quoc Doanh said that in 2016, coffee exports reached 1.78 million tons, turnover reached USD 3.4 billion.

Especially, besides traditional coffee, roasted and processed coffee brings about over USD 300 million. Coffee is one of the export agricultural products, accounting for a large share of Vietnam's exports, contributing to socio-economic development, poverty reduction for people, especially in the Central Highlands.

Visitors enjoy coffee. Photo: VNA

Vice Chairman of Lam Dong People's Committee Pham S said that the development of the coffee industry has created jobs for thousands of workers in the Central Highlands. Lam Dong province targets to export USD 6 billion coffee by 2030.

According to coffee experts, despite being the second largest coffee exporter in the world, Vietnam's coffee is mainly favored due to its low price, while the quality of coffee is not appreciated. This is because of lack of the application of high technology in the cultivation, harvesting and processing.

In addition, aging coffee trees also affect the productivity, yield and quality of coffee beans.

The second Vietnam Coffee Day will be held in 2018 in Dak Nong province./.

VNF