Philippine coffee production is projected to fall below 30,000 metric tons in 2026, as rising temperatures hit farming regions nationwide, according to the Philippine Coffee Board, Inc. (PCBI).
“We might not reach 30,000 metric tons (MT) because [of] the rate it’s going,” PCBI Chairman Pacita “Chit” Juan told reporters in an interview.
“Globally, the coffee that used to grow in lower areas, you now need to plant it in higher areas because the temperature has really risen around the world,” she added.
Data from the local statistics agency showed that green coffee bean output reached 35,650 MT in 2025, up 11.5% from 31,980 MT a year earlier.
With the projected decline and the looming effects of “Super El Niño”, local farmers are encouraged to plant climate-resistant varieties like Liberica, Excelsa and Robusta.
“Our solution is really to give farmers alternatives,” Ms. Juan said. “All of our members in the ASEAN Coffee Federation are working together to develop the same climate-resilient varieties, and number one is Liberica, number two is Excelsa, then Robusta.”
Local coffee varieties can also grow in low-lying areas, unlike Arabica, which now requires an altitude of 1,800 to 2,000 meters above sea level due to increased heat.
“We don’t really plant anything that’s more than 2,000 meters, but we need to look for places that are 1,800 to 2,000 because… as it heats up, we need to elevate it,” she said.
“Liberica, Robusta, and Excelsa for now grows at 200, 300 meters…This could be planted to where Arabica is now so we still have coffee,” she added.
The country’s total annual coffee demand is estimated between 150,000 and 200,000 MT, with imports covering about 81%.
The industry’s roadmap shows that local farmers meet only 15% of the overall demand. Mindanao produces 83.63% of local coffee, while Luzon and Visayas account for 9.18% and 7.2%, respectively.
In 2025, Robusta accounted for the lion’s share of production at 76.5% (27,272 MT), followed by Arabica at 16.7% (5,953 MT).
Excelsa and Liberica had the lowest share, at 5.7% (2,032 MT) and 1.1% (392 MT), respectively. — Almira Louise S. Martinez