Has the popularity of specialty coffee been on the rise in thailand?

Evolution of Specialty Coffee in Thailand

Thailand’s journey into coffee cultivation, especially when compared to its Asian counterparts, is relatively young. Arabica coffee was introduced as early as 49, but it wasn’t until the 1970s that coffee production became a significant commercial endeavor.

This shift was largely due to initiatives launched by King Bhumibol Adulyadej, in collaboration with the United Nations, that encouraged northern communities to replace opium poppy cultivation with alternative crops, including coffee. By 1976, Thailand began exporting coffee, primarily the robusta variety known for its lower quality.

The robusta bean thrives in the southern parts of Thailand, while the northern regions, with their tropical climate, are more conducive to arabica cultivation. Despite robusta’s dominance in production, a surge in demand for high-quality, Thai-grown coffee has seen a shift towards more arabica planting.

Anuwat Kbnampetch, founder and director of Ministry of Roasters and SOCOF Lab in Bangkok, highlights the changing agricultural landscape: “From 2017 to 2019, robusta accounted for around 65% of the coffee agriculture, with arabica at 35%. Fast forward to 2020 through 2022, and the figures adjusted to approximately 59% robusta and 41% arabica.”

Chartree Treelertkul, Director of Peaberry Thai Co. Ltd., also in Bangkok, elaborates on the recent progression of the Thai coffee industry. “While robusta production still outpaces arabica, creating a shortfall for local markets and leading to arabica exports, the last seven years have seen a remarkable transformation. Arabica farmers have begun to refine their agricultural techniques, experimenting with various processing methods, including fermentation and innovative drying techniques, and introducing new coffee plant varietals such as Gesha, Bourbon, Caturra, and Typica.”