Product Offerings
Products:
Coffee Beans: Arabica, Robusta
Roasted Coffee: Ground Coffee, Whole Bean Coffee
Coffee Seedlings: Arabica Seedlings, Robusta Seedlings
Nestled in the fertile highlands of southern Laos, Bolaven Story Coffee represents a new generation of Laotian coffee producers committed to quality, sustainability, and community empowerment. Operating out of Pakse, in the heart of the Bolaven Plateau—a globally recognized origin for specialty coffee—the company focuses on the cultivation, processing, and export of premium Arabica and Robusta coffee.
Core Business and Offerings
Bolaven Story Coffee is a vertically integrated coffee business involved in seedling cultivation, farming, roasting, and direct trade exports. The company supports smallholder farmers across the Bolaven Plateau while also managing its own cultivation plots, ensuring traceability and quality control across every stage of the coffee journey.
Product Portfolio:
-
Green Coffee Beans:
- Arabica (Typica, Bourbon, Catimor)
- Robusta (Highland-grown varieties)
-
Roasted Coffee:
- Whole Bean
- Ground Coffee (Espresso, French Press, Drip)
-
Seedlings and Agricultural Input:
- Arabica & Robusta seedlings for local farmers
Bolaven Story Coffee offers tailored roasting profiles based on buyer specifications, targeting specialty coffee roasters and café chains in Asia and Europe.
Unique Selling Proposition
Bolaven Story Coffee leverages the rich volcanic soil, high altitude (1,000–1,350 meters), and cool climate of the Bolaven Plateau to produce coffee with distinct flavor profiles—floral notes, medium body, and balanced acidity for Arabica; and bold, earthy tones for Robusta.
Key differentiators include:
- Single-origin traceability from Laos’ premier coffee-growing region
- Sustainable farming practices, including organic composting and shade-grown techniques
- Community-based partnerships with local ethnic minority farmers
- Direct trade model, offering transparent pricing to producers and buyers
Market Reach and Export Activities
While still in its growth stage, Bolaven Story Coffee has initiated export relationships with specialty buyers in:
- Thailand
- Vietnam
- Japan
- South Korea
- Germany
According to regional export data, Laos exported over 34,000 tons of coffee in 2022, with the Bolaven Plateau accounting for approximately 95% of national production. Bolaven Story Coffee contributes to this growing export base with a focus on high-grade micro-lots and custom roasts.
Capabilities and Infrastructure
Bolaven Story Coffee operates with a hands-on model, overseeing:
- On-site wet and dry processing facilities
- Solar drying beds and eco-friendly drying methods
- Manual and mechanical sorting stations for bean grading
- Roasting facility equipped for small and medium batch orders
The company has also implemented cupping labs and quality control protocols to comply with SCA (Specialty Coffee Association) standards for grading.
Certifications and Compliance
While full-scale organic certification is in progress, Bolaven Story Coffee practices:
- Chemical-free cultivation
- Natural compost fertilization
- Shade-grown farming practices
Beans are tested for moisture content, density, and defects in compliance with export buyer requirements. Traceability and ethical sourcing are integral to their business ethos.
Community Engagement and Sustainability
Bolaven Story Coffee collaborates with ethnic minority farming families—primarily from the Laven and Katu communities—providing:
- Access to seedlings and farming inputs
- Training on pruning, harvesting, and post-harvest handling
- Profit-sharing initiatives to support education and infrastructure
The company reinvests a portion of profits into local development projects, promoting gender-inclusive employment and youth involvement in agriculture.
Achievements and Recognition
- Participated in regional coffee expos, including ASEAN Coffee Federation forums
- Selected for pilot projects with Laos Coffee Association and GIZ (German Development Agency) for sustainable farming
- Recognized by regional buyers for consistent cup profiles scoring 83+ points on the SCA scale
Though relatively young, Bolaven Story Coffee is building a reputation as a reliable supplier of Laotian specialty coffee with authentic origin stories, ethical trade values, and a clear commitment to quality and sustainability. The company continues to open doors for Laotian coffee in the global specialty market through traceable, high-quality exports.