THE private group who takes lead in the coffee movement in the country encourages farmers to seize the opportunities for the specialty coffee in the Asean markets.
Philippine Coffee Board Inc. (PCBI) co-chair Pacita U. Juan said that the farmers can enjoy premiums for the production of the specialty coffee that can compete well in quality with the output produced in coffee-producing regions of the world.
But farmers have to work on increasing the production levels first.
She said that the country is producing only 2,000 metric tons of specialty coffee out of the 10,000 MT of "roast and grind" coffee annually.
The country's annual consumption peaks at 100,000 MT that it has to import from Vietnam and Indonesia to augment the 23,000 MT of annual coffee production.
Juan added that those who produce specialty coffee must put labels on their sacks indicating the origin, name of the farm, and name of the farmer for easy identification for the foreign buyer.
Such techniques are practiced in Benguet in the Cordillera, according to Juan.
The varieties grown in the Philippines are Arabica, Robusta, Execela and Liberica. Instant coffee is Rrobusta, she said.
At least 70 percent of the country’s production is coming from the mountainous areas of Mindanao such as Davao Region, Bukidnon, and Sulu.
Juan said that farmers must maintain husbandry to keep a good production of quality beans.
She pointed to businessman Sonny Dizon, a producer of highland catimor grown in Kapatagan, Digos City that won 1st runner up in the Syphon Category and 2nd runner up in the Espress category during 2014's Roaster's Choice Awards.
Kapatagan sits at the foothills of Mt. Apo that has a micro climate that allows for an idealyear-round harvest of coffee, Juan added.
Dizon is the producer of Mt. Apo's Altura and Civet coffee brands.
Juan said they are teaching the farmers fermentation, and washing method to improve quality while at the same time advocating for the “pick red cherries” practice to ensure that only the beans that are at the height of ripeness are harvested. (ALC)