A total of 20.4 tons of coffee from West Bandung Regency has been exported abroad. The local coffee product even managed to reach one of the most difficult markets to penetrate: Vietnam.
The coffee is produced by the Java Halu Farm Farmers Group (Java Halu Coffee). The export shipment originating from Gununghalu was directly flagged off by West Bandung Regent Jeje Ritchie Ismail at the West Bandung Regent’s Office in Ngamprah on Monday, July 20, 2026. Out of the 20.4-ton total, 10.2 tons were shipped to Vietnam. Entering the Vietnamese market stands as an achievement of its own for Gununghalu coffee.
Rani Mayasari, Head of the Java Halu Farm Farmers Group and owner of Java Halu Farm, stated that Vietnam is the hardest coffee market to enter. This is because Vietnam requires imported coffee products to be free from 46 chemical residue and pesticide contaminants. Meanwhile, the vegetable farming culture in West Java heavily utilizes chemical sprays, making it almost inevitable for those chemicals to potentially contaminate coffee plants.
“It’s not that the coffee itself isn’t organic, but airborne contamination likely occurs,” Rani explained. However, with the assistance of universities, the government, and coffee-related departments, the issue was successfully addressed. “We now have a mitigation method,” she added.
She further noted that the exported coffee variety is Arabica, featuring four distinct processing methods: natural, black honey, double washed, and enzymatic luwak. The strengthening of the US Dollar against the Rupiah has also brought its own benefits, driving up the price of Gununghalu coffee cherries.
“Our prices are currently around IDR 20,000–26,000 per kilogram. Last year, the highest price was only IDR 18,000,” Rani said. Consequently, the total export value boosted up to IDR 3.25 billion in a single year. Beyond Vietnam, the coffee products are also exported to Japan, the United Kingdom, and Australia.
Meanwhile, Regent Jeje Ritchie Ismail expressed appreciation for Java Halu Farm’s achievement in reaching international markets. Jeje hopes that Gununghalu coffee will become increasingly widely recognized. He also praised the flavor quality of the local coffee. “I want this momentum to ignite the spirit of other farmer groups to be confident and rise up,” he said. Looking ahead, he added that independent export initiatives from West Bandung Regency will continue through the Arjuna Farmers Association (Gapoktan) in Cibodas Village, Lembang District.
The association plans to export West Bandung’s premium Arabica coffee to Saudi Arabia in August 2026, with shipments reaching 4 to 5 tons. As part of the ceremonial send-off, Jeje along with his deputy, Asep Ismail, personally inspected the coffee products loaded onto several vehicles. They also smashed a traditional clay jug (kendi) as part of the ceremonial tradition. The event concluded with Jeje flagging off the departing vehicles.
