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MANILA, The Philippines – Amid the country’s reliance on coffee imports, Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan urged to reenergize the local coffee industry in the Philippines, 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 on Thursday, October 23, at the Makati Sports Club, the senator 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.
He mentioned that in 2023 alone, the local coffee market generated approximately US$2.33 billion and is projected to reach over US$4.4 billion by 2028, with an annual growth rate of 7-12%.
Yet, even with rising demand and positive market prospects, Pangilinan 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,” he said.
The senator 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,” 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.
The senator 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, Pangilinan said they stand to benefit from the Sagip-Saka Act, a law he 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.
“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,” the senator urged.
