Global coffee supply chains have been disrupted due to mobility restrictions in southern Vietnam amid the ongoing Covid-19 outbreak.

With export hub Ho Chi Minh City continuing to be under social distancing due to surging number of infections, traders and suppliers told Bloomberg that exporters are struggling to transport beans to its ports for shipment.

Shortage of containers and soaring freight rates have worsened the situation.

The Vietnam Coffee-Cocoa Association has urged the government to ease the curbs.

Earlier this week Minister of Transport Nguyen Van The said all types of legal goods must be considered "essential" and their transporters must be allowed to pass through Covid checkpoints.

Authorities in the south need to do everything possible to facilitate the transport of agricultural products such as coffee and rice, he added.

Vietnam is the second biggest coffee producer globally behind Brazil. Last year its exports fell marginally and were worth $2.74 billion.

Source: VnExpress

• USTR Makes Findings and Proposes Action in 60 Section 301 Investigations Relating to Failures to Take Action on Trade in Forced Labor Goods
• [VCCI] The US officially initiates a Section 301 Investigation into Vietnam on Intellectual property
• General Secretary and President To Lam's working visit to three ASEAN countries: Demonstrating the stature of proactive and constructive diplomacy.
• Viet Nam accelerates innovation drive as skilled workforce becomes key to science and technology growth
• The US is increasing controls on AI chip exports