Coffee Industry Trends to Boost Business in the Future

La Trinidad, Benguet (PNA) — The present trending in the coffee industry will boost and enhance the perception of coffee farmers in the Cordillera Region and the country in general.

Director Valentino Macanes of the Benguet State University-Institute of Highland Farming Systems and Agroforestry, on Monday said the current trend is called the “Third Wave Coffee Generation” which is described as the proliferation of coffee shops and small coffee roasting and grinding in households.

Third Wave Coffee, Macanes said, refers to the movement of high-quality coffee products and its artisan methods of production.

These involve improvements in all stages of production, from improving coffee bean growing, harvesting, and processing, to stronger relationships between coffee growers and coffee traders and roasters, to higher quality and fresh roasting to brewing.

Based on the Philippine Coffee Board Inc (PCBI) report in 2013, the local demand for coffee increased from 30,000 metric tons to 100,000 metric tons a year and is increasing at a rate of three percent per annum or 18,000 tons per annum.

Records show that the Philippines produces 25,000 metric tons per year and imports 30,000 to 35,000 tons from Vietnam.

The best Philippine coffee beans are produced in Benguet, Matutum in South Cotabato, Kitanglad in Bukidnon, Mount Apo in Davao, and Kanlaon in Negros.

The Cordillera Region boasts of its commercial coffee varieties which is one of the few regions in the country where three of these varieties are grown — Robusta, Liberica (barako) and Excelsa.

It has a full advantage over other regions in the country having a very suitable climate for Arabica coffee to thrive.

Arabica coffee is the most preferred in both the local and global market.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) is currently addressing concerns ranging from seeds and seedling production and the establishment of Certified Nurseries with registered coffee seeds.

Among the other coffee business trends that penetrated the market are organic coffee, civet cat coffee, specialty coffee, and blended coffee. (PNA) LGI/JBL/RSM