Amid the country’s reliance on coffee imports, Senator Kiko Pangilinan urged to reenergize the local coffee industry, calling for greater government support and development of its production to meet rising domestic demand.
As the keynote speaker at the first Coffee Sustainability Congress recently at the Makati Sports Club, Pangilinan reflected on the unprecedented rise in coffee consumption among Filipinos, noting that the country is becoming one of the fastest-growing coffee markets in Asia.
The veteran legislator mentioned that in 2023 alone, the local coffee market generated approximately $2.33 billion and is projected to reach over $4.4 billion by 2028, with an annual growth rate of 7-12%.
Yet, even with rising demand and positive market prospects, the seasoned lawmaker noted that the Philippines still imports more coffee than it produces.
“We import about 760,000 metric tons, mostly from Vietnam, Indonesia, and Malaysia to meet the needs, particularly, instant coffee market. Diyan ang pinakamalaking chunk ng ating total consumption. Ang ibig sabihin, karamihan ng kapeng gumigising sa atin tuwing umaga ay hindi galing dito sa atin: (sa) Foreigner,” the senator said.
He lauded the role of local Filipino producers of coffee, recognizing the challenges they face regarding dwindling farm sizes.
“Behind every cup of local coffee are around 200,000 smallholder farmers.”
“Behind every cup of local coffee are around 200,000 smallholder farmers,” Pangilinan pointed out, adding that most of them cultivate less than two hectares of land and have much lower productivity compared to farmers in neighboring countries.
He also explained that the industry can only move forward if the government fully implements the Philippine Coffee Industry Roadmap.
Pangilinan emphasized the need for improved coordination between agencies and the private sector, expanded financing that reaches small farmers, investment in climate-resilient trees and post-harvest systems, and making extension services accessible down to the municipal level, so that farmers receive direct technical support.
Despite the ongoing challenges faced by coffee farmers, he said they stand to benefit from the Sagip-Saka Act, a law Pangilinan authored in 2019 to allow national government agencies and local government units to buy coffee and other farm products directly from local producers without public bidding.
The law makes it easier for farmers to access institutional markets.
“Let’s turn Philippine coffee into a global brand synonymous with quality and sustainability.”
“We already have what it takes to strengthen the coffee industry in the country. These beans deserve a place on the world stage alongside Colombian, Ethiopian, and Vietnamese coffee. Let’s turn Philippine coffee into a global brand synonymous with quality and sustainability,” he urged.
“Hindi lang tayo dapat coffee drinkers, maging coffee nation-builders din tayo. Dahil deserve natin ang kapeng tubong Pinoy na masarap, na mabango, na nakakagising ng husto,” Pangilinan concluded.
