Sucafina to Buy Mercon Unit in Top Robusta Coffee Grower Vietnam

Swiss coffee trader Sucafina SA will purchase Mercon Coffee Corp.’s unit in Vietnam, expanding its reach in the world’s top producer of robusta beans used to make instant coffee.

The sale of Mercafe Vietnam Ltd. comes after the Dutch trader filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in New York late last year, citing steep price swings and higher borrowing costs that eroded the firm’s ability to pay its debt on time in full. The acquisition is being carried out by Sucafina’s local subsidiary, according to court filings.

The deal comes at a time when the robusta market has heated up, ...