The Central Highland provinces have harvested less than 1 million tonnes of coffee beans in the 2013-14 crop.

Dak Lak province, the country’s the largest coffee producer, yielded 330,000-350,000 tonnes of beans, 100,000 tonnes less than the last crop.

Unfavourable weather, including prolonged drought, is blamed for the decreasing output.

According to Nedcioffee BV, growers in Vietnam, which has the largest robusta growing area in the world, can sell 55 percent of their coffee beans at a price of 35,400 VND (1.66 USD) per kilo before the country starts the largest holiday season, the Lunar New Year festival.-VNA