Thai Nhu Hiep highlights the need for reliable coffee sourcing-area data

In a discussion reported in Vietnam’s economic press, Thai Nhu Hiep highlighted the need for more reliable and coordinated sourcing-area data in the coffee sector. He spoke as a VICOFA vice chairman and chairman and general director of Vinh Hiep.

The problem of overlapping records

A grower may sell coffee to several businesses. If each business maintains a separate database without a way to reconcile it with the underlying production and transactions, records can overlap or become difficult to verify.

The issue is not the existence of several buyers by itself. The practical concern is whether the information correctly represents the land, production and coffee flows used to support a particular claim.

Collecting and checking information

Vinh Hiep described investment in reviewing, standardising and verifying growing-area information. The work included field information, grower identity, plots, coordinates, area and associated records, with cooperation from specialist organisations and local authorities.

The discussion emphasised the need to check information rather than relying solely on a certificate database. Records collected for one purpose may not contain everything needed for another enquiry.

Coordination across the sector

Thai Nhu Hiep called for cooperation among local authorities, businesses, certification organisations and growers. Shared definitions and ways to review information can help participants identify inconsistencies and reduce repeated work.

The wider objective is a record that can be followed from the sourcing area through the commercial chain. Clear responsibility for updates is as important as the technology used to store information.

Connecting data with a buyer’s enquiry

Growing-area information provides context for coffee sourcing. To use it for a proposed supply, a buyer also needs to understand how the product, sample and lot are connected with the underlying records.

For the official regulatory context, consult the European Commission’s EUDR information. The company’s discussion explains its approach to data; it does not replace the applicable requirements or establish compliance for every shipment.

Related reading

Sustainable sourcing records · Coffee traceability documents