Fine Robusta Around the World – A Global Movement in Quality Coffee

Vietnam: The Fine Robusta Pioneer

Vietnam has emerged as a global leader in Fine Robusta production, demonstrating the tremendous potential of high-quality Robusta when cultivated with care and expertise.

In 2025, a batch of Robusta coffee from Vietnam's Gia Lai province achieved an impressive 87.5 points on the Coffee Quality Institute scale, ranking among the top three Robusta samples in the world. This achievement marked a significant milestone for the region and reinforced its emerging reputation for high-quality Robusta.

The success has spurred ambitious expansion plans. Gia Lai province is boosting the production of specialty coffee, aiming for 2,340 hectares of specialty coffee cultivation by 2030. This represents a fundamental shift from mass production to high-value specialty segments.

Vietnamese producers have embraced the CQI evaluation system. Through In-Country Partners, producers submit samples for official Q grading and receive Q certificates that serve as marketing tools. The cupping assessment for Vietnamese Fine Robusta follows CQI protocols, evaluating multiple criteria including roast level, fragrance/aroma, flavor, balance, overall impression, aftertaste, salt/acid ratio, bitter/sweet ratio, mouthfeel, uniform cups, and clean cups.

Cambodia: A Rising Star

Cambodia represents one of the most inspiring Fine Robusta success stories. In 2025, Cambodian coffee achieved international recognition when the Coffee Quality Institute classified it as Fine Robusta.

KOFI, a proudly Cambodian company, submitted farmers' coffee for CQI's review. The result was impressive: Bousra Coffee scored 80.5 points. This marked the first time in history that Cambodian coffee received such recognition from an international institute.

The achievement has had transformative effects on the ground in Mondulkiri province. The provincial Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries is encouraging and training farmers to expand their coffee cultivation. Provincial agriculture department director Song Kheang reported that there are currently more than 500 hectares of coffee plantations in the province.

KOFI established a model coffee farm in 2023 to train farmers in cultivation, care, and harvesting techniques to ensure high quality. Today, KOFI works with over 400 farming families and has propagated more than 300,000 TRS1 coffee seedlings, distributed for cultivation across approximately 300 hectares of land in Mondulkiri province.

The economic impact has been significant. The first grade of fresh coffee costs around 3,000 riel ($0.73) per kilogram, with lower grades also commanding prices that provide meaningful income for farmers. As Song Kheang noted: "We are currently training farmers while urging them to expand their land for coffee cultivation. We are working hard because this coffee has the potential and value that can provide people with a good income".

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. The company has set a new benchmark for the Cambodian coffee industry, demonstrating its ability to produce and process Mondulkiri Robusta coffee for the world market.

Uganda: Building Robusta Capability

Uganda, one of Africa's major Robusta producers, has also embraced CQI's Fine Robusta standards. CQI began work in Burundi in 2009 and has expanded its quality evaluation activities across East Africa.

The organization has collaborated with the African Fine Coffees Association (AFCA) to develop competitive strategies for Fine Robusta coffee. Training and certifying Robusta "Fine" Coffee Cuppers has been a key priority.

The impact of these efforts extends beyond individual producers. By building local capacity for quality evaluation and improvement, CQI is helping to create sustainable coffee communities across the region. As producers gain new tools and skills, they can share their experience and help build a larger community promoting good practices.

India: Q Robusta Certification Success

India has also seen success with CQI's Robusta program. Sethuraman Estates, an Indian coffee producer, has been awarded multiple Q Robusta Certificates. Coffees successfully meeting program standards to be considered Fine Robusta receive a Q Robusta certificate.

These certifications demonstrate that Fine Robusta production is not limited to a single region or country. Quality Robusta can be produced in diverse growing conditions, from the highlands of Vietnam to the plains of Uganda to the hills of India. What unites these successful producers is a commitment to quality and a willingness to submit their coffee to rigorous third-party evaluation.

The Growing Recognition of Fine Robusta

The global Fine Robusta movement continues to gain momentum. CQI offers courses and training programs that explore the diversity and potential of Robusta coffee. Participants, including baristas, roasters, and coffee enthusiasts from different backgrounds, are discovering the remarkable potential of high-quality Robusta.

This growing recognition is transforming perceptions of Robusta. No longer viewed as merely a commodity coffee for instant blends, Fine Robusta is increasingly appreciated for its distinct flavor profiles, impressive body, and unique characteristics. As more producers achieve Fine Robusta certification and more buyers seek out these quality coffees, the market for premium Robusta continues to expand.

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