Coffee production in the Philippines

Coffee production in the Philippines began as early as 1740 when the Spanish introduced coffee in the islands.  It was once a major industry in the Philippines, which 200 years ago was the fourth largest coffee producing nation.

As of 2014, the Philippines produces 25,000 metric tons of coffee, and is ranked 110th in terms of output.  However, local demand for coffee is high, with 100,000 metric tons of coffee consumed in the country per year.

The Philippines is one of the few countries that produce the four main viable coffee varieties: Arabica, Liberica (Barako), Excelsa and Robusta.

90 percent of coffee produced in the country is Robusta.  There has been efforts to revitalize the coffee industry.

History

Coffee was introduced in the Philippines as early as 1730, when a Franciscan friar planted the first coffee tree in Lipa, Batangas.  Coffee introduced from the Philippines came from Mexico.

Coffee production was later promoted by Augustinian friars Elias Nebreda and Benito Varas in other parts of Batangas, such as: Ibaan, Lemery, San Jose, Taal, and Tanauan.

Coffee plantations became part of the foundation of Batangas' economy and Lipa was later labeled as the coffee capital of the Philippines.

Following the aftermath of the American Civil War, in the 1865, there was a sudden increase of demand for Philippine coffee in the United States, since it became cheaper importing coffee from the Philippines than importing coffee from Brazil.

Barako from Batangas was shipped from Manila to San Francisco.  Half of the Philippines' coffee export in that year were shipped to San Francisco.  

Coffee also began to be exported to Europe following the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869.  In 1876, coffee was introduced in the town of Amadeo in neighboring Cavite and the province began producing coffee.

However, Lipa remained as the main producer of coffee in the Philippines and Batangas barako costed five times compared to Java coffee beans.  In 1880, the Philippines was the fourth largest exporter of coffee beans.

Coffee production in competitor regions of Brazil, Africa and Java declined when coffee rust plagued the regions, and from 1887 to 1889, the Philippines was the only source of coffee in the world.

In 1889, coffee production in the country saw a great decline following the introduction of coffee rust in the country and increased incidence of insect infestation.  These elements virtually destroyed all coffee trees in Batangas.  By 1891, coffee production in the country was reduced to 1/6 of its total production two years earlier.  

By this period, Brazil has regained its position as a major coffee producer.  Surviving coffee seedlings were transferred to Cavite, as many farmers in Batangas shifted to growing other crops.

During the 1950s, the Philippine government, with assistance from Americans, introduced a variety of coffee to the country which is more resistant.  Instant coffee began to be produced in commercial quantities, which resulted to the increase of demand for coffee.

Many farmers began shifting back to growing coffee in the 1960s.  Importation of coffee were momentarily stopped due to a surplus in the world market due to sudden proliferation of coffee farms.

In 1980, the Philippines became a member of the International Coffee Organization (ICO).