Europe-PH News

COTABATO CITY— Bangsamoro coffee farmers gained national recognition after placing among the country’s top performers in the Arabica Category–Small Holder Farm competition during the 2026 Philippine Coffee Expo (PCE), held from June 5 to 7 at SPACE at One Ayala in Makati City.

Samuel Mumar Ochea Jr. secured third place, while fellow coffee farmer Ruel Mata Rabaca placed eighth in the prestigious competition. Both award-winning growers are members of the St. Mary Downtown Farmers Organization in Amai Manabilang, Lanao del Sur.

The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) also received the Best Booth Design Award in the Diamond Sponsors Category. The regional booth showcased premium Arabica, Robusta, and specialty coffee products, helping expand market access and strengthen business linkages at the national level. 

Beyond the competition, Ochea Jr.’s award-winning Arabica coffee fetched P3,300 per kilogram during the expo’s live coffee auction, significantly surpassing its floor price of P900 per kilogram. The result reflects the growing demand for high-quality Bangsamoro coffee in the specialty coffee market.

The Live Coffee Auction is one of the highlights of the Philippine Coffee Expo, providing award-winning coffee farmers with opportunities to connect directly with buyers and secure premium prices for exceptional coffee lots.

The Bangsamoro delegation’s participation in the three-day expo was facilitated by the Ministry of Trade, Investments, and Tourism (MTIT) in partnership with the European Union-funded Bangsamoro Agri-Enterprise Programme (EU-BAEP) through People in Need (PIN) and the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP).

Speaking during the opening ceremony, MTIT Minister Farserina Mohammad underscored the coffee sector’s role in creating economic opportunities and advancing rural development.

 “In the Bangsamoro region, we recognize the immense potential of coffee as a driver of rural development, entrepreneurship, and inclusive growth,” Mohammad said.

She added that the industry remains a vital source of livelihood for thousands of Bangsamoro families and continues to contribute significantly to inclusive economic development in the region.

“The coffee industry is not only an important contributor to our economy but also a source of livelihood for thousands of Filipino families,” Mohammad said. 

For Ochea Jr., the recognition was both rewarding and unexpected.

“To be honest, I was anxious because I thought we might not make it,” he said.

He also expressed gratitude to those who supported his journey, particularly the MTIT, and encouraged more farmers to venture into coffee cultivation.

“Continue planting coffee because there are limitless opportunities in the coffee industry, and nothing is impossible in coffee,” Ochea Jr. added.

These achievements underscore the growing reputation of Bangsamoro-grown coffee and reflect the region’s continuing efforts to establish itself as a competitive player in the country’s thriving coffee industry. (Johaira Sahidala/BIO with reports from MTIT)