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Do Thai Coffee Beans Have Male and Female Varieties? A Brief History of Thai Coffee and Current Production and Sales Status

Published: 2026-01-27 Author: FrontStreet Coffee

Last Updated: 2026/01/27, Professional coffee knowledge exchange For more coffee bean information please follow Coffee Workshop (WeChat public account cafe_style) Coffee beans do not have male and female distinctions. A few years ago, this concept became popular at various Southeast Asian tourist attractions. Later, when tracing the source, it was discovered that the origin was tour guides in Bali. They referred to round beans as male beans and flat beans as female beans to deceive tourists into purchasing cheaper coffee at high prices

Professional coffee knowledge exchange. For more coffee bean information, please follow Coffee Workshop (WeChat official account: cafe_style).

Coffee beans do not have male and female distinctions. Several years ago, a misconception began spreading at various tourist destinations in Southeast Asia. When someone traced back to the source, they discovered it originated from tour guides in Bali who referred to round beans as male beans and flat beans as female beans, using this to deceive tourists into purchasing relatively cheap coffee beans at high prices.

As a globally popular beverage, coffee is increasingly favored by Thai consumers. For farmers in both southern and northern regions, coffee is also an important economic crop, playing a significant role in promoting local economic development.

A Brief History of Thai Coffee

According to records, the history of coffee cultivation in Thailand can be traced back to the Ayutthaya period, but it truly became popular in Thai society during the reign of King Rama III (around 1824 AD). In 1960, the total coffee cultivation area nationwide was only 19,000 rai (1 rai = 1,600 square meters), with an annual production of 750 tons. However, imported coffee products that year reached as high as 6,000 tons. Consequently, the government began promoting a plan to cultivate Robusta coffee beans in southern Thailand, which achieved success.

Thailand officially began exporting coffee in 1976, exporting about 850 tons of Robusta coffee. In 1980, world coffee market prices rose, driving Thai coffee production and exports to increase year after year, once setting records of 500,000 rai cultivation area, 95,000 tons production, and 60,000 tons exports. Later, due to declining world coffee prices and market oversupply causing sales stagnation, Thai coffee farmers suffered significant losses. The government advised coffee farmers to reduce coffee cultivation areas and switch to other crops, resulting in substantial reductions in both coffee cultivation area and production. Ultimately, Thailand transformed from a coffee-exporting country to an coffee-importing country.

Current Status of Thai Coffee Production and Sales

Currently, Thailand's main coffee cultivation areas are distributed in the southern provinces of Chumphon, Ranong, Surat Thani, and Krabi, as well as the northern province of Chiang Rai. The southern region grows Robusta coffee beans, while the northern region's altitude and rainfall are suitable for cultivating Arabica coffee beans.

According to preliminary statistics from the Thai Agricultural Economics Office, in 2012, the national coffee bean harvest area was 306,984 rai, a decrease of approximately 4.93% compared to the previous year; annual production was estimated at 41,560 tons, a 1.97% reduction from the same period last year; average yield per rai was 135 kilograms, a 3.05% increase year-on-year. The areas with the largest reductions were Chumphon, Ranong, and Surat Thani provinces.

The reduction in coffee bean cultivation area and production was mainly due to coffee farmers in southern Thailand cutting down coffee trees at the beginning of the year to switch to rubber and palm trees. On one hand, this was because the rubber and palm trees intercropped with coffee trees entered their growth maturity period; on the other hand, farmers were tempted by rising rubber prices and lacked confidence in coffee market prospects and prices.

Based on continuously growing domestic coffee consumption, the demand for coffee beans by domestic processing plants in Thailand has increased year by year over the past few years. The Department of Internal Trade predicted that demand would reach 67,620 tons in 2012, a 9.99% increase from the previous year. Experts believe that domestic coffee consumption demand continues to show an upward trend.

From January to May 2012, Thailand exported a total of approximately 1,971.16 tons of coffee beans, valued at 165.35 million baht, exceeding the same period in 2011 by 177% and 67% respectively. Finished coffee exports amounted to 2,847.68 tons, totaling 463.41 million baht; representing year-on-year decreases of 23% and 10% respectively. In comparison, Thailand's imported coffee bean volume and value were 2,568.69 tons and 230.67 million baht, both showing slight year-on-year decreases of 6%; imported finished coffee amounted to 2,758.01 tons, valued at 817.02 million baht, showing increases of 54% and 66% respectively compared to the same period in 2011 (see Table 1).

The Agricultural Economics Office estimates that in 2013, Thailand's coffee bean harvest area will be approximately 279,060 rai, with total production of about 40,070 tons, both expected to further decline. However, average yield per rai will continue to increase to 144 kilograms. Notably, while Robusta coffee bean cultivation areas in the south may decrease, Arabica variety cultivation areas in the north are expected to grow.

The Thai Coffee Market

According to surveys, although Thai coffee consumption is gradually increasing, consumption levels remain relatively low. The average person drinks only 130-150 cups of coffee per year, less than one cup per day; fewer than 2 million Thais have regular coffee-drinking habits, representing a low proportion relative to Thailand's total population of 60 million. This indicates that the Thai coffee market still has enormous growth potential.

Current Thai coffee market demand is approximately 60,000-70,000 tons and is steadily growing (see Table 2); however, domestic production is only over 40,000 tons, leaving a gap that must be filled through imports.

As is well known, Brazil is the world's largest coffee producer and exporter. However, among ASEAN countries, Vietnam and Indonesia are also the world's second and fourth largest coffee-producing nations (see Table 3). Vietnam is estimated to export about 1.2 million tons of coffee beans in 2012, valued at $3 billion, with ASEAN being one of Vietnam's important target markets.

Competition Facing the Thai Coffee Industry in the AEC Era

As early as several years ago when the ASEAN Free Trade Agreement (AFTA) took effect, Thailand's import tariffs on finished coffee had already been reduced to 0%. Coffee beans were listed on the sensitive products list, with import tariffs reduced to 5% in 2010, and finally to zero tariffs by 2015, which coincides with the official establishment of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC).

Currently, coffee beans produced in Vietnam and Laos are flooding into Thailand in large quantities, especially after the establishment of the ASEAN Free Trade Area and tariff reductions. The imported coffee beans are mostly Arabica varieties, whose quality is higher than Thailand's main Robusta varieties. Compared to Vietnamese coffee, the biggest advantage of Thai products lies in product quality. However, Vietnamese coffee not only far exceeds Thailand in production volume and has lower production costs, but also categorizes products into various grades based on quality, with some products possessing considerable quality advantages. Therefore, many experts and industry insiders are relatively pessimistic about the future of Thailand's coffee industry after the AEC's establishment, believing it will struggle to compete with imported products from countries like Vietnam and Laos.

Preparing for the AEC Era

How to Cope with Coffee Market Competition in the AEC Era?

Some experts and scholars suggest that in terms of production, efforts should be made to improve production efficiency, achieving low costs, high output, excellent quality, and balanced production. Relevant government departments should cooperate fully to solve irrigation problems, conduct research on soil quality and weather conditions nationwide, and identify areas suitable for coffee cultivation. Additionally, the cultivation capabilities of coffee farmers should be assessed, providing training, assistance, and technical support to those lacking sufficient knowledge, experience, or technical capabilities.

The government should advocate for coffee farmers to reduce the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides while increasing the use of organic fertilizers, which can reduce the risk of product contamination and help improve quality. Furthermore, intercropping coffee with other agricultural products such as rubber, and having coffee farmers in the same region jointly purchase seeds, fertilizers, and other raw materials, can help reduce costs. Relevant scientific research departments should also improve Thai coffee varieties, which can help increase yield and quality.

The Thai Department of Agricultural Technology found that Robusta coffee cultivation areas in southern Thailand have relatively low yields because some aging coffee trees aged 10-20 years have not been replaced. To increase production, they recommend that coffee farmers cut down and replant these trees. The Department of Agricultural Technology, through its subordinate units, has established model coffee cultivation fields in major coffee production bases for local coffee farmers to participate in the research and promotion of scientific coffee cultivation technologies, allowing farmers to learn effective planting techniques and methods through practice. Through a series of targeted measures, the Department of Agricultural Technology believes it can effectively increase production, reduce costs, and prepare Thailand's coffee industry for more intense competition before the AEC era arrives.

Additionally, private coffee industry operators are also seeking solutions, with some beginning to try changing investment directions by investing in coffee bean cultivation in Laos, with operations gradually expanding in scale.

In terms of marketing, the government should emulate Thai rice standards, establishing standards for Thai coffee from aspects of color, aroma, and taste, and widely promoting them. Support Thai coffee operators in establishing their own brands and assist in promoting the visibility of Thai domestic brands. Enhance the competitiveness of Thai coffee in both domestic and international markets.

In conclusion, if Thai coffee wants to overcome its disadvantages and compete with neighboring rivals, coffee farmers must quickly reduce production costs, improve production techniques, and increase yield per rai; on the other hand, they must focus on quality and product standards, launching high-quality, high-grade products that meet international standards and possess Thai characteristics. With 2015 and the AEC era approaching, the situation is urgent and pressing, and relevant reforms and preparations must be carried out as soon as possible.

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