A sip of coffee reminisces significant events which shaped many a nation's history. It has chronicled historical records that date back to as far as 1200 A.D. when coffee became a very important crop in the economy of many nations.
In the Philippines, the coffee industry began in 1740 during the Spanish regime. It is considered one of the high value crops in the local and foreign markets.
Coffee is among the top ten agricultural crops in terms of value.
Coffee registered a total production of 123,934 metric tons, valued at 6.818.84 million in 1995. Today, we are exporting to ICO and non-ICO member countries which include: Japan, Singapore, West Germany, Netherlands, Malaysia, Muscat Oman, United Arab Emirates, Pakistan and the U.S.A. These countries alone account for 97 percent of the total Philippine coffee export.In the Philippines, more than 55,000 metric tons of coffee beans is being produced which represents to 0.012% of the total world production, while our local demand is 60 million kilograms.
In the year 2000, we had an estimated export worth 500,000 dollars, benefiting 60,000-80,000 families in an estimated 120,000 hectares of land concentrated in Batangas, Bukidnon, Benguet, Cavite, Kalinga-Apayao and Davao.
Today, we are in dire need of green coffee beans which are supplied mostly by Vietnam and Indonesia.
The need to rehabilitate or establish a new plantation in most favorable areas in the country will somehow rejuvenate the ailing industry and will definitely help more farmers dependent on the crops, attain good harvest and increase income.
The Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) are working closely in tandem to prod the Coffee Industry cluster to chart a viable roadmap for the next six years.
Hereunder is the Philippine Coffee Industry Roadmap from 2017 to 2022.
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