Indonesia has long been recognized as one of the world’s top producers of robusta coffee, and the island of Sumatra stands out as a major hub. Among the various grades of robusta coffee beans available from Sumatra, Robusta Green Coffee Beans – Mixed Grade (Commercial Quality) continue to be a strategic choice for wholesale buyers looking for volume, affordability, and distinctive flavor profiles.
In this comprehensive educational guide, we will explore what mixed grade robusta beans are, how they’re produced, why Sumatra offers some of the most robust flavors in the market, and how suppliers like Citragro Indonesia provide a stable monthly volume of up to several tons of these beans to meet industrial demands.
What Are Robusta Green Coffee Beans – Mixed Grade / Commercial Quality?
Mixed grade robusta beans—also known as commercial quality or asalan in the local language—are green coffee beans obtained through traditional post-harvest methods that involve bulk harvesting (racutan) of coffee cherries at varying levels of ripeness.
Unlike premium export-grade coffee beans, these mixed beans are:
- Unsorted by size or defect level at the initial stages,
- Contain a blend of fully ripe, underripe, and overripe cherries,
- Typically sun-dried in open areas, often resulting in higher moisture content (15–20%),
- Cost-effective and widely used in large-scale industrial applications such as instant coffee, 3-in-1 blends, and economical ground coffee products.
While the appearance and uniformity may not meet specialty standards, mixed grade beans serve a vital role in global coffee consumption, particularly in markets requiring large volumes of robusta.
Origin and Distribution of Robusta Coffee in Sumatra
Sumatra’s robusta coffee cultivation dates back to the early 20th century when robusta varieties were introduced to replace arabica trees affected by disease. The main robusta-producing regions on the island include:
- Lampung – especially West Lampung and Tanggamus,
- South Sumatra – particularly in the Pagaralam highlands,
- Bengkulu and Jambi – home to award-winning local varieties such as Rejang Lebong and Jangkat Merangin.
Robusta is typically grown at altitudes ranging from 200 to 1,400 meters above sea level, benefiting from Sumatra’s mineral-rich volcanic soils. As of 2022, Sumatra contributes significantly to Indonesia’s overall coffee production, with South Sumatra producing over 212,000 tons and Lampung around 124,000 tons annually.
This widespread cultivation base ensures a steady availability of robusta beans suitable for both domestic consumption and international wholesale markets.
Flavor Profile and Physical Characteristics
Sumatran robusta beans are known for their strong, full-bodied character. Typical flavor notes include:
- Dark chocolate
- Earthy and woody tones
- Low acidity
- High bitterness
- Creamy, thick crema when used in espresso blends
Physically, the beans are smaller, rounder, and thicker than arabica beans, with a coarser surface and higher caffeine content (2.2–2.7%). The natural ruggedness of Sumatra’s terrain contributes to the unique organoleptic qualities that make these beans desirable for bold coffee blends and industrial products.
Post-Harvest Process of Mixed Grade Robusta Beans
The production of mixed grade beans follows a simpler, more traditional process:
- Bulk Harvesting (Racutan): Farmers pick all cherries from the tree regardless of ripeness.
- Sun Drying: The cherries are dried in open-air conditions, often not to export-standard moisture levels.
- Manual Hulling: The dried cherries are hulled to reveal green beans with minimal sorting.
- Basic Cleaning: At collection centers or local mills, beans may undergo basic cleaning and secondary drying but still remain unsorted by defect, density, or size.
This method reduces production costs, allowing these beans to be sold at lower prices, while still maintaining the bold flavor that makes robusta suitable for many commercial products.
Industrial Uses and Market Demand
Robusta Green Coffee Beans – Mixed Grade are widely utilized across multiple industries:
- Instant coffee manufacturing – The high caffeine and bold flavor help build strong, cost-effective instant blends.
- Ground coffee blends – Mixed grade beans are used as a base for low-to-mid tier coffee products.
- RTD (Ready-to-Drink) beverages – Often used in bottled or canned coffee drinks.
- Flavor additives – Applied in ice creams, chocolates, and functional drinks.
Their cost efficiency and availability in bulk make them an essential commodity for roasters, repackers, food manufacturers, and beverage companies worldwide.
Wholesale Market Potential and Global Trends
The demand for robusta is rising both domestically and internationally. In Indonesia, domestic coffee consumption hit 288,000 tons in 2023, driven by the popularity of instant and 3-in-1 coffee. Globally, robusta is being increasingly sought after for its economic value and high caffeine content.
Countries like the U.S., Germany, Italy, and Egypt continue to import Sumatran robusta in large quantities for use in:
- Espresso blends
- Budget coffee brands
- Functional food products
Moreover, the Asia-Pacific region is experiencing 4–5% annual growth in coffee consumption, with robusta meeting the needs of cost-sensitive and high-volume sectors.
Challenges and Opportunities in Mixed Grade Robusta Trade
While commercial-grade robusta has strong market potential, it faces several challenges:
- Inconsistency in quality due to lack of sorting and varied harvesting methods
- Moisture control issues – Beans above 14% moisture are prone to mold or spoilage
- Limited traceability – Difficult to guarantee consistent sourcing unless from reliable partners
- Aging trees and low productivity – Many farms still rely on old trees with limited yield
However, the opportunities outweigh the hurdles. Innovations in processing, better post-harvest practices, and increasing demand for low-cost coffee products continue to push mixed-grade robusta to the forefront of B2B coffee trade. Reliable suppliers with traceable systems are now bridging the gap between quantity and quality.
Citragro Indonesia: Trusted Supplier of Robusta Green Coffee – Mixed Grade
One such trusted supplier is Citragro Indonesia, a coffee trading company based in North Sumatra. Citragro specializes in the sourcing, handling, and selling of Robusta Green Coffee Beans – Mixed Grade directly from farming communities in Sumatra.
Key highlights of Citragro’s supply:
- Washed process applied even to mixed grade beans to reduce mold and improve cleanliness
- Consistent supply volume up to several tons per month
- Beans processed in mineral-rich low to mid-altitude zones (200–800 masl)
- CoA (Certificate of Analysis) available upon request
- Limited monthly capacity – advance orders are highly recommended
Citragro caters to wholesalers, roasters, and traders seeking bulk robusta from Indonesia with dependable quality control and reliable monthly volumes.
Conclusion
Robusta Green Coffee Beans – Mixed Grade from Sumatra are an essential commodity for industries needing high volumes of bold, affordable coffee. While they do not meet specialty-grade standards, their rich flavor, strong caffeine content, and cost-effectiveness make them a smart choice for commercial applications.
With the expertise and limited monthly capacity of suppliers like Citragro Indonesia, wholesale buyers can secure consistent, quality-controlled mixed grade robusta beans directly from Sumatra.
Whether you’re a coffee roaster, beverage manufacturer, or international distributor, now is the right time to explore Sumatran mixed grade robusta as a reliable and sustainable option for your supply chain.
