Highlands Coffee opens $19.3 mln roastery in southern Vietnam

By Lan Do
Wed, April 16, 2025 | 3:05 pm GMT+7

Highlands Coffee on Tuesday opened its $19.32 million Highlands Cai Mep roastery in the southern coastal province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau.

Nestled near the Cai Mep port, a key port in southern Vietnam, the 24,000 square-meter roastery represents a landmark investment in the country’s coffee industry.

The facility is equipped with cutting-edge Probat roasting technology from Germany, advanced quality assurance systems, and automated processes to ensure precision and consistency.

It is designed for scalable growth, with a planned production capacity of 75,000 tons per year as operations mature.

David Thai, founder and CEO of Highlands Coffee (third from left) at the opening ceremony of Highlands Cai Mep Roastery in the coastal province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau, southern Vietnam, April 15, 2025. Photo by The Investor/Lan Do.

David Thai, founder and CEO of Highlands Coffee (third from left) at the opening ceremony of Highlands Cai Mep Roastery in the coastal province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau, southern Vietnam, April 15, 2025. Photo by The Investor/Lan Do.

The strategic development underscores Highlands Coffee’s commitment to advancing Vietnamese coffee craftsmanship while addressing increasing demand in both domestic and international markets.

"This roastery is our promise to honor the authentic essence of Vietnamese coffee," said David Thai, founder and CEO of Highlands Coffee.

"It is a space where tradition meets innovation, allowing us to craft coffee that reflects our farmers' resilience, our team's passion, and our nation's pride.

"We are proud to be a company deeply rooted with Vietnamese culture, working hand-in-hand with local farmers to create a product that embodies the character of our nation. We are excited and eager to share this story with the world," he added.

David Thai noted that the roastery is not just an investment in infrastructure; it is a symbol of how far Highlands Coffee has come and how much further it can go.

"We believe that excellence in quality can go hand in hand with honoring tradition. Our mission is to craft coffee that carries the soul of Vietnam while inspiring coffee lovers around the globe," he added.

David Thai, founder and CEO of Highlands Coffee. Photo courtesy of the company.

David Thai, founder and CEO of Highlands Coffee. Photo courtesy of the company.

Founded in 1999 by David Thai, Highlands Coffee is a pioneer in the Vietnamese coffee industry. Born and currently based in Vietnam, Highlands Coffee is a ‘brand or origin’, specializing in robusta-based products which are sourced in Vietnam.

Founded in 1998, Viet Thai International JSC (VTI) is a major consumer and retail operator. The company operates a diverse portfolio of brands in coffee, F&B, and FMCG.

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