Soco pushing for first Cebu coffee congress

CEBU, Philippines - Homegrown coffeeshop chain proprietor Glenn Soco is pushing for the first Coffee Congress in Cebu to further improve the value chain of local gourmet coffee shop operators as well as support the key players in the industry such as the farmers.

Soco, who also sits as a member of the board of the Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry said that he will pitch the idea of promoting the coffee sector starting with the holding of the first Coffee Congress in Cebu.

Soco said coffee farming has been emerging as one of the most in-demand crops nowadays as the coffeeshop business continues to thrive in and outside of the country.            

The Congress, he said, could identify the different value chain from farming, to roasting, logistics, and other opportunities that the coffee industry has to offer in this generation.

Asia Coffee Congress for instance, brought together associations, government bodies, roasters, traders and certifiers looking to promote regional coffee to major coffee manufacturers around the globe. At the same time, it showcased processing technology to coffee manufacturers from the APAC region and address challenges faced by local and international coffee growers to increase coffee production in Asia-Pacific countries.

Soco added that although similar activities have been held in other parts of the country, like recently in General Santos City in Mindanao, Cebu's version of a Coffee Congress may focus more on trade and opportunities, as well as sourcing local coffee produced.

A handful of locally-owned coffee shop chain like Coffee Dream, Bo's Coffee, among others has been able to compete head-on with the global brand like Starbucks, Soco said this strength should be developed more, as coffee shop business still offers huge opportunities for local entrepreneurs.

Soco also mentioned the perennial problem on access to financing as one of the hindrances that keep entrepreneurs to seize the opportunity in the coffeeshop business as well as farmers' capacity to expand their production.

These type of concerns shall be given a clearer path through activities such as Coffee Congress wherein all players and stakeholders of the entire value chain will be present.

The Philippines used to be the third largest exporter of coffee in the world in the 1960s. Today, the country is importing over half of its coffee requirement from other countries. (FREEMAN)