Cambodia's Fine Robusta Journey – A Case Study in Quality Transformation

A Historic Achievement for Cambodian Coffee

In 2025, Cambodian coffee achieved a milestone that would have seemed impossible just a few years earlier. The Coffee Quality Institute, a globally recognized coffee evaluation body, classified coffee from Mondulkiri province as Fine Robusta.

The coffee, produced by KOFI, a proudly Cambodian company, scored 80.5 points on CQI's 100-point scale. This marked the first time in history that Cambodian coffee received such recognition from an international institute. The achievement was announced at the Khmer Products Exhibition "Khmer Can Do" on September 27, 2025, where KOFI launched its new roast coffee blend, "Bousra Coffee".

The significance of this achievement cannot be overstated. For a country not traditionally known for coffee production, receiving Fine Robusta certification from CQI represents a transformative moment. It signals to the world that Cambodia can produce coffee of international quality and opens new opportunities for the country's coffee farmers.

The Path to Certification

To help Mondulkiri coffee reach the world stage, KOFI submitted farmers' coffee for CQI's review. The evaluation process was rigorous. CQI coffee experts carefully evaluated multiple factors, including aroma, taste, acidity, crust, and balance of the coffee.

The achievement of Fine Robusta certification required more than just submitting a sample. It demanded a comprehensive commitment to quality throughout the production chain. Through innovative production and processing, as well as strict adherence to quality and hygiene standards, KOFI set a new benchmark for the Cambodian coffee industry.

KOFI established a model coffee farm in 2023 to train farmers in cultivation, care, and harvesting techniques and ensure high quality. This training was essential because coffee quality is determined not just at the processing stage but throughout the entire production process—from the choice of seedlings to harvesting practices to post-harvest processing.

Today, KOFI works with over 400 families of farmers and has propagated more than 300,000 TRS1 coffee seedlings, which have been distributed for cultivation across approximately 300 hectares of land in Mondulkiri province. This represents a significant and growing investment in the region's coffee sector.

Economic Impact on Farming Communities

The Fine Robusta recognition has had tangible economic benefits for farming communities in Mondulkiri province. The provincial Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries is encouraging and training farmers to expand their coffee cultivation.

The economics are compelling. The first grade of fresh coffee costs around 3,000 riel ($0.73) per kilogram, the second grade ranges between 2,000 and 2,500 riel ($0.49-$0.61), and the third grade sells for 1,000 to 2,000 riel ($0.24-$0.49) per kilogram. For farmers who previously had limited income opportunities, coffee cultivation offers a pathway to improved livelihoods.

Provincial agriculture department director Song Kheang emphasized the potential: "This coffee has the potential and value that can provide people with a good income". He noted that the area dedicated to growing coffee beans has been steadily increasing—from 525 hectares in 2023 (with 365 farming families involved), an increase of 174 hectares compared to 2022.

Phlek Phirom, a representative of the Banong Indigenous Community Network in the province, has noticed that more indigenous people are now interested in growing coffee on a family scale. "I see more indigenous people planting coffee. Some families are cultivating one or two hectares to meet market demand, and some are also involved in producing coffee seedlings," she said.

Beyond Certification: Building a Sustainable Industry

KOFI's achievement extends beyond the Fine Robusta certification itself. Beyond recognition by CQI, Bousra Coffee produced by KOFI's roasting facility has also been certified both nationally and internationally, including GHPs, HACCP, and ISO 22000:2018.

To create Bousra Coffee, KOFI combined the Fine Robusta (50%) with Arabica from South America (50%), roasted at a medium level. This innovative blend demonstrates the versatility of Cambodian Fine Robusta and its potential for use in premium coffee products.

KOFI was founded in 2009 by Cambodian entrepreneurs. Today, the company operates six branches across Cambodia, including two in Phnom Penh, as well as branches in Siem Reap, Preah Sihanouk, Battambang, and Poipet. KOFI also runs a natural coffee processing facility in Mondulkiri Province. This growing infrastructure represents a significant investment in Cambodia's coffee future.

A New Benchmark for Cambodian Coffee

KOFI's achievement has set a new benchmark for the Cambodian coffee industry, demonstrating its ability to produce and process Mondulkiri Robusta coffee for the world market. As Song Kheang stated: "This is a significant achievement that brings pride to our country. It showcases our ability to produce high-quality coffee, contributes to the local supply and enables us to sell abroad, which in turn generates income for our farmers".

The success has created a virtuous cycle. Recognition attracts buyers. Premium prices reward farmers. Increased income encourages investment in quality improvement. And quality improvement leads to further recognition. This cycle is transforming Mondulkiri's coffee sector and creating new opportunities for farmers.

Lessons for Other Producers

Cambodia's Fine Robusta journey offers valuable lessons for coffee producers in other countries. First, it demonstrates that quality improvement is achievable even for producers who are not traditionally associated with specialty coffee. Second, it shows the importance of investment in training and infrastructure. Third, it highlights the value of third-party certification in building buyer trust and accessing premium markets.

The Cambodia case also illustrates the importance of partnerships. KOFI's collaboration with farmers, the provincial agriculture department's support for training and expansion, and CQI's evaluation system all contributed to the success. This multi-stakeholder approach provides a model for other regions seeking to develop their Fine Robusta potential.

The Future of Cambodian Fine Robusta

The future looks bright for Cambodian Fine Robusta. With growing international recognition, expanding cultivation areas, and increasing farmer participation, the sector is poised for continued growth.

The provincial agriculture department is actively encouraging farmers to expand their coffee cultivation to meet market demand. Training programs are helping farmers improve their cultivation, care, and harvesting practices. And KOFI continues to invest in processing infrastructure and market development.

As more Cambodian farmers adopt quality-focused practices and more coffee achieves Fine Robusta certification, the country's reputation as a quality coffee origin will continue to grow. This represents not just an economic opportunity but a source of national pride—a demonstration that Cambodia can produce world-class coffee.