According to the 2021 data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) 12, the Soccsksargen Region has the largest area dedicated to coffee production in the country, with 26,172 hectares planted for the crop. Of this area, 78 percent, or 20,437 hectares are located in Sultan Kudarat province. The region ranked first in coffee production in 2021, contributing 34.66 percent (21,007.41 metric tons) to dried coffee and 34.66 percent (10,503.71 MT) to green coffee beans produced in the Philippines. Sultan Kudarat alone contributed 85.90 percent to the total regional production of both dried coffee and green coffee beans.
Sultan Kudarat or SK is the largest coffee-producing province in the Philippines in terms of volume. Superioridad-Sabado is a coffee enthusiast and industry insider, who has been living with coffee communities in the region since 2001.
She shared that before ACDI/VOCA's coffee project started in 2014, commercial coffee market was seen as the best venue for coffee production and marketing in the area. However, since the project began, there has been hope and progress in the industry. Working with partners and coffee professionals, the project has been successful in increasing coffee production quality as evidenced by the positive results of the Kape Dose Coffee Quality competition. Despite this success, the region still faces challenges in marketing its products to consumers.
Sultan Kudarat coffee has gained global recognition for its distinctive taste, but ironically, the very province that produces it has not fully experienced it yet.
"We possess enormous potential to promote and sell our top-quality Robusta coffee locally, rather than exporting it to other countries,” Superioridad-Sabado noted.
She dreams of a vibrant coffee community in Sultan Kudarat, where farmers can take pride in seeing their coffee enjoyed by customers in local coffee shops. Her vision includes a united and supportive community that works together to promote high-quality products.
Various stakeholders have been actively involved in supporting the coffee industry through numerous interventions, including the provision of technical assistance, special grants, and capacity-building initiatives for coffee farmers and other stakeholders. These efforts have been poised to promote the growth and sustainability of the coffee sector. It yielded positive results in terms of improving the quality of coffee produced and increasing market opportunities for local producers. (Genory Vanz Alfasain/Voice of the Youth Network)
