Lampung Robusta EK1 is one of the most-shipped Indonesian Robusta grades in the global coffee trade, named for the Lampung province at the southern tip of Sumatra and graded under the legacy Dutch “Eerste Kwaliteit” export system that still defines Indonesian Robusta exports today. According to Indonesia Specialty Coffee’s May 2026 catalogue, Lampung Robusta EK1 lots ship FOB Belawan starting at $4.00 per kg for Grade 3 (EK1 45 defects) and climb to $4.30 per kg for the top ELB 350 BC tier.
This guide walks roasters and importers through what EK1 means, the SNI defect tiers, screen size and moisture standards, cupping notes, ISC’s current supply, and how to place an order.
What Is Lampung Robusta EK1?
Lampung Robusta EK1 refers to Robusta coffee from Lampung province on Sumatra’s southern coast, graded under Indonesia’s export classification system. The “EK1” code is a holdover from the Dutch colonial trade, short for “Eerste Kwaliteit” or “First Quality”, and it remains the working language between Indonesian exporters and international buyers in 2026. In modern practice, EK1 designates the export-grade defect tier, while the SNI 01-2907-2008 grading standard governs the actual defect counts behind each tier.
Lampung is consistently among Indonesia’s largest Robusta-producing provinces. Most plantations sit at 300 to 800 metres above sea level across the volcanic foothills of southern Sumatra, with a Full body, Low acidity cupping profile that has built Lampung’s reputation as the workhorse of Indonesian espresso blends and instant coffee programs.
SNI Defect Values Explained
The Indonesian National Standard (SNI 01-2907-2008) grades Robusta by defect value per 300g sample. EK1 export tiers map directly to these defect ranges, and the Lampung Robusta EK1 price ladder follows the defect count: cleaner lots cost more.
| SNI Grade | EK1 Tier | Defect Value (per 300g) | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 1 | EK1 ≤11 | Max 11 | Single-origin premium |
| Grade 2 | EK1 25 | 12 to 25 | Premium blend base |
| Grade 3 | EK1 45 | 26 to 45 | Standard espresso blends |
| Grade 4a | EK1 60 | 46 to 60 | Volume blends |
| Grade 4b | EK1 80 | 61 to 80 | Industrial, instant coffee |
For example, ISC’s Lampung ELB 350 BC, Lampung ELB 450 BC, and Lampung Grade 2 lots all ship at 25 defects per 300g, which lands them in the EK1 25 tier (SNI Grade 2). The Lampung Grade 3 lot sits at 45 defects, EK1 45 (SNI Grade 3). This tier-based pricing is standard across all Indonesian Robusta exports, regardless of origin province.
What ELB and BC Mean
Once a buyer sees “Lampung ELB 350 BC” on a contract, two trade terms are doing the work that the defect count alone can’t describe. ELB and BC both speak to bean size, not defect tier, and understanding the difference is what separates a confident order from a surprise at the cupping table.
ELB stands for Extra Large Beans. When ELB appears on a Lampung Robusta lot without a stated SNI grade, the trade default is Grade 2: 25 defects per 300g. So “Lampung ELB 350 BC” and “Lampung ELB 350 BC G2” describe the same lot. If a supplier offers an ELB lot at a different defect tier (Grade 3, for example), the grade will be called out explicitly. The practical takeaway is that ISC’s Lampung ELB 350 BC and the standard Lampung Grade 2 share the same defect count: the difference between them is bean size, not cup cleanliness.
BC stands for Bean Count, the number of beans per 100g. A lower BC number means larger beans, because fewer of them fit into the same 100g sample. ISC’s Lampung ELB 350 BC averages 350 beans per 100g, while Lampung ELB 450 BC averages 450 beans per 100g, so the 350 BC lot has noticeably larger beans. In screen-size terms, ELB Robusta typically corresponds to screen 18 and above on the larger end, which is why the 350 BC and 450 BC lots ship at screen 15 to 19 and 14 to 18, respectively.
For roasters, BC is the spec that drives roast consistency at scale. Larger, denser beans accept heat more evenly through the development phase, which matters when a drum roaster is loaded close to capacity for espresso blend production. That is the reason ELB lots command a price premium over standard Grade 2 even when the defect counts are identical.
Screen Size, Moisture, and Triage
Beyond defect count, three more specs matter on every Lampung Robusta contract:
Screen size measures bean diameter in 1/64-inch increments. ISC’s Lampung ELB 350 BC ships at screen 15 to 19, while ELB 450 BC ships at screen 14 to 18.
Moisture is held at a maximum of 13 percent across all ISC Lampung lots, which meets EU and US import standards and protects the lot from mould during ocean freight.
Triage is the percentage of off-spec beans removed during final sorting. ISC keeps triage tight on ELB-grade lots to protect screen consistency at the destination warehouse.
Buyers comparing offers should ask for all three specs together, not just defect count, since two lots at the same EK1 tier can cup very differently when the screen mix is uneven.
Cupping Notes for Lampung Robusta
ISC’s January 2026 Q-grader assessment by Heri Setiawan placed Fine Lampung Robusta at 82 SCA points in the Commercial Specialty tier. The cup leads with a Full to thick body and notably Low acidity, joined by an earthy, woody base layer, dark chocolate, roasted peanuts, and a clean, bitter finish typical of the classic Indonesian Robusta profile.
The aroma is rich, spicy, and strong, which is exactly what high-volume espresso blends need to carry milk drinks. For roasters tasting a Lampung sample for the first time, the bold intensity and deep earthy tones are the cleanest identifiers against Vietnamese or Brazilian Robusta lots.
ISC’s Wholesale Supply for Lampung Robusta EK1 (2026)
Indonesia Specialty Coffee’s May 2026 Lampung Robusta EK1 catalogue covers four tiers from screen-graded ELB lots to standard SNI grades, all milled and warehoused at ISC’s Medan facility before loading at Belawan port.
| Lot | Defects (per 300g) | Screen | FOB Belawan, 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lampung ELB 350 BC (G2) | 25 | 15–19 | $4.30 / kg ($4,300/MT) |
| Lampung ELB 450 BC (G2) | 25 | 14–18 | $4.25 / kg ($4,250/MT) |
| Lampung Grade 2 | 25 | 15–19 | $4.10 / kg ($4,100/MT) |
| Lampung Grade 3 | 45 | 15–19 | $4.00 / kg ($4,000/MT) |
Both ELB lots ship at the Grade 2 defect tier (25 per 300g), the same defect count as the standard Lampung Grade 2, and the price difference between the three Grade 2 lots is driven by bean count, not cleanliness. ELB 350 BC has the largest beans of the three, ELB 450 BC sits in the middle, and standard Grade 2 ships at a mixed screen without an ELB-grade size guarantee.
For volume buyers building house espresso blends, Lampung Grade 3 at $4.00/kg often delivers the best body-per-dollar ratio out of southern Sumatra, while ELB 350 BC is the pick when roast uniformity is the priority. For a broader context on ISC’s Indonesian portfolio approach, see the Lintong coffee beans and Lake Toba origin guide.
How to Order from ISC
ISC structures Lampung Robusta orders around four standard MOQ tiers:
Sample (1 kg): for cupping evaluation, ships in 5 to 7 working days. Microlot (60 kg): for small roasters and trial runs. Wholesale (350 kg): for mid-size roasteries and cafe chains. Container (9 MT+): for importers and distributors
All quotes are confirmed in writing against shipment dates. Buyers can request samples through the ISC contact page or browse the Lampung Robusta product page for full spec sheets.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does EK1 mean for Lampung Robusta?
EK1 stands for “Eerste Kwaliteit 1” or “First Quality 1”, a Dutch colonial export grading term that Indonesian Robusta exporters still use today. For Lampung Robusta EK1, the code identifies which SNI 01-2907-2008 defect tier the lot meets, with defect counts ranging from a maximum of 11 (Grade 1) to 80 (Grade 4b) per 300g sample.
What is the difference between Lampung ELB and Lampung Grade 2?
Both are Grade 2 lots at 25 defects per 300g, so the cleanliness and SNI tier are identical. The difference is bean size: ELB stands for Extra Large Beans, and the BC suffix (350 BC or 450 BC) states the average bean count per 100g. ELB 350 BC has the largest beans, ELB 450 BC sits in the middle, and standard Lampung Grade 2 ships with a mixed screen and no guaranteed bean count. The ELB premium reflects size, not defect cleanup.
What does BC mean on a Robusta coffee spec?
BC stands for Bean Count, the average number of green beans in a 100g sample. A lower BC number means larger beans, because fewer of them fit into the same weight. Lampung 350 BC averages 350 beans per 100g, while 450 BC averages 450 beans per 100g. Larger beans roast more evenly at an industrial scale, which is why low-BC lots cost more even at the same defect grade.
What is the cupping score for Lampung Robusta?
ISC’s January 2026 Q-grader cupping by Heri Setiawan placed Lampung Robusta at 82 SCA points, the Commercial Specialty band for Robusta. The cup shows Full body, Low acidity, and notes of earthy wood, dark chocolate, roasted peanuts, and a clean, bitter finish, with a rich and spicy aroma profile.
How much does Lampung Robusta EK1 cost per kg in 2026?
The 2026 Lampung Robusta EK1 price from ISC starts at $4.00 per kg FOB Belawan for Grade 3 (EK1 45 defects) and climbs to $4.30 per kg for the top ELB 350 BC tier. All prices are wholesale FOB and remain subject to written confirmation at order time.
What is the moisture and screen size standard?
ISC’s Lampung Robusta EK1 ships at a maximum of 13 percent moisture and screen size 15 to 19 for ELB 350 BC, Grade 2, and Grade 3 lots. ELB 450 BC ships at screen 14 to 18, with a Bean Count averaging 450 beans per 100g against 350 BC for the ELB 350 BC lot. These specs meet EU, US, and Middle Eastern import requirements without further re-sorting at destination warehouses.
Does ISC also sell Lampung Robusta roasted?
Yes. ISC offers Lampung Robusta as green beans, roasted beans, and powder form. May 2026 prices: ELB 350 BC roasted at $10.14/kg, Grade 2 roasted at $9.78/kg, and Grade 3 roasted at $9.60/kg, all FOB Belawan. Most volume buyers still order green for in-house roasting flexibility.
Order Lampung Robusta Beans from Indonesia Specialty Coffee
Lampung Robusta EK1 remains the workhorse of Indonesian Robusta exports in 2026, and current ISC pricing reflects that proven consistency. At $4.00 to $4.30 per kg FOB Belawan, the Full body, Low acidity, and 82 SCA cupping score still positions Lampung as a solid value pick for high-volume espresso blends and instant coffee programs alike.
For buyers ready to act on the 2026 crop, ISC ships fresh Lampung Robusta direct from its Medan facility through Belawan port, with cupping samples landing in under a week. Request a 1 kg sample through the contact form at specialtycoffee.id or view the Lampung Robusta product page to lock in 2026 container allocation today.
