Buying coffee from Indonesia: Sumatra, wet-hulled arabica and robusta
Indonesia is one of the world's largest coffee producers: mostly robusta, plus famous arabicas from Sumatra, Java, Sulawesi and the islands. Almost all of it comes from smallholders. This guide covers the numbers, regions, the wet-hulled process and what to check.
Updated November 1, 2026 · 3 sources
Indonesia coffee in numbers
The USDA forecast Indonesia's 2025/26 crop (April to March) at about 11.3 million 60 kg bags: 9.8 million robusta and 1.5 million arabica. Smallholders on 1 to 2 hectare plots manage 98% of the coffee area, and Sumatra produces 70 to 75% of the crop. Green exports were forecast at 6.5 million bags, with Belgium and Germany leading in the EU, plus the United States, Egypt, Malaysia, India and Japan.
Regions
| Area | Coffee |
|---|---|
| Southern Sumatra (Lampung, South Sumatra) | Most of Indonesia's robusta |
| Northern Sumatra (Aceh Gayo, North Sumatra) | Wet-hulled arabica with heavy body and earthy, spicy notes |
| Java | Arabica and robusta, including historic estates |
| Sulawesi (Toraja), Bali, Flores | Arabica, washed and wet-hulled |
Robusta in Sumatra is harvested from about April, peaking in June and July; arabica has two harvests, around April to May and September to October. See the Indonesia lots page.
Wet-hulled coffee
Much Indonesian arabica is wet-hulled (giling basah): the parchment is removed while the beans are still moist, then the beans finish drying as green coffee. This gives the classic heavy, earthy Sumatra cup, but it needs care: lots must be dried properly before shipping. Some exporters hold coffee until moisture is at or below about 12.5%. Read processing methods.
Buying tips
- Ask for the process (wet-hulled, washed or natural), the moisture at shipment and a pre-shipment sample.
- Indonesian grades are based on a defect count (Grade 1 has the fewest defects); write the grade, defect limit and screen into the contract.
- For the EU, ask early about EUDR traceability for smallholder coffee. See the EUDR guide.
- Use hermetic liners for long voyages; see shipping green coffee.
Frequently asked questions
Is Indonesian coffee mostly robusta?
Yes. The USDA forecast about 9.8 million bags of robusta out of 11.3 million in 2025/26, mostly from southern Sumatra.
What is wet-hulled coffee?
Coffee whose parchment is removed while the beans are still wet; the beans then finish drying as green coffee. It gives Sumatra's heavy, earthy cup.
When is Indonesian coffee harvested?
Robusta in Sumatra from about April, peaking in June and July; arabica in two harvests, around April to May and September to October.
Sources
- Daily Coffee News: Indonesia coffee report, exports up though tariffs and EUDR linger (on the USDA FAS Coffee Annual, May 2025) ↗
- Specialty Coffee Indonesia: How many bags of green coffee fit in a 20ft container? ↗
- Coffee Review: Honey and pulped natural coffees (processing background) ↗
Checked on November 1, 2026. Laws, rules and prices change: always check the official source before you trade. This guide is general information, not legal advice.