SAN JOSE, Antique – Robusta coffee products from this province earned the “fine” grade classification in the 2021 Philippine Coffee Quality Competition (PCQC).
“The fine grade is the highest in terms of coffee classification,” Alejandro Gonzaga, president of the Calu-oy-Tula-tula Sikap Organization in Barangay Calu-oy in the Municipality of Sibalom, said in an interview on Thursday.
The association of coffee growers, with its 300 members, covers 400 hectares in Barangays Calu-oy, Tula-tula, and Bulalacao in Sibalom.
The classification, according to Gonzaga, is much coveted since their product was classified as premium in 2020.
For Jairus Serui, coffee coordinator of the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Unit, the “fine grade” classification means the coffee beans are really of good quality and have zero defects.
Gonzaga said their coffee beans are organic and that during harvest time, they tediously sort the beans to remove those that have spots due to infestation.
“Our coffee is all-natural because we don’t apply fertilizer,” he said.
With the fine grade classification, their products will command a higher price in the market and will have more potential clients.
Currently, their organization supplies beans to 10 coffee shops in Antique and Iloilo City.
Aside from the coffee beans, they also produce processed coffee using the Shared Service Facility equipment given by the Department of Trade and Industry.(PNA)
