COFFEE bean production in Davao region decreased by 5.16 percent to 10,839.95 metric tons (MT) in 2017 from 11,429.78 MT in 2016.

Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed that the biggest contributor was Davao del Sur province, with a reported output of 4,764.68 MT, followed by Davao City with 2,261.81 MT, Davao Oriental with 1,364.40 MT, and Compostela Valley with 1,259.18 MT.

The Robusta variety comprised the bulk, with production reaching 7,305.92 MT in 2017.

Arabica production reached 2,200.47 MT while Excelsa was reported at 1,258.09 MT.

The least-produced coffee variety in the region is the Liberica, which was produced only in Davao del Sur and Davao Oriental with 17.38 MT and 58.09 MT, respectively.

Davao Agri Trade Expo (Date) 2018 program committee chair John Tria said they target to include coffee among the commodities that will be highlighted and thoroughly discussed this year.

Other crops that will be highlighted in the 2018 trade include the cacao, banana, and the bamboo.

Just March this year, coffee producers from Davao region were hailed as winners during the Philippine Coffee Quality Competition (PCQC).

Marivic Dubria (86.03 rating) and Maria Luz Dubria (85.41 rating) were named the winners for the Arabica category.

Both of them are members of the Balutakay Coffee Farmers Association (Bacofa) in Balutakay, Davao del Sur.

For Robusta category, Delio Cesar of Bagong Silang, Compostela Valley won with an 85.36 rating.