​1st Aklan Coffee and Cacao Festival Set to Showcase Local Agriculture and MSMEs in Kalibo ​

​KALIBO, Aklan — Aklan is gearing up to highlight its local agricultural produce as it hosts the 1st Aklan Coffee and Cacao Festival on October 24–25, 2026, at the Kalibo Pastrana Covered Court.

​Organized by the Aklan Coffee and Cacao Council, the two-day provincial festival aims to position Aklan as an emerging hub for quality coffee and cacao in Western Visayas.

​The initiative brings together coffee and cacao farmers, processors, local coffee shop owners, micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), consumers, and government stakeholders under the banner slogan: “ONE BEAN. ONE CUP. ONE AKLAN.”
​Uniting Local Producers and Expanding Markets.

​The festival was formally announced during a press conference hosted by Rotary Club of Metro Kalibo Past President Megs Lunn for the Aklan Coffee and Cacao Council at IYAGI in Brgy. Andagao, Kalibo, which was attended by members of the local tri-media and civic partners, including the Rotary Club of Metro Kalibo (D3850).

Serving as resource persons to the press conference were: John Peter Aldecoa
Chairperson, Aklan Coffee and Cacao Council
; Lorraine Angel Yap, Vice-Chairperson for Cacao, Aklan Coffee and Cacao Council
; Engr. Grace Benedicto,OIC – Provincial Director, DTI Aklan;Leo Teodosio,
LEDIPO Staff, Provincial Government of Aklan – Local Economic Development and Investment Promotion Office; John Marde MaiguePESO Manager, LGU Kalibo and Engr. Ma. Andrea Placer Engineer II, Office of the Provincial Agriculturist 2027 LO President, JCI Aklan Kalantiao.

​Designed as an inclusive platform for enterprise development and market expansion, the event will highlight local varieties—including Aklan-grown Liberica and Robusta coffee—alongside locally produced tableya chocolate products.
​According to event organizers, the key objectives of the festival include:
​Promoting Local Industries: Showcasing Aklan-grown cacao and coffee to local and regional markets.
​Skill Building & Innovation: Enhancing the technical knowledge and production practices of farmers, processors, and cafe operators through learning sessions and live demonstrations.

​Value Addition: Encouraging product innovation, brand development, and quality improvement across the entire value chain.
​Market Access: Providing direct promotion and networking opportunities for MSMEs and local growers.

​Strategic Partnerships: Strengthening collaboration among local government units, national agencies, the private sector, and academe to drive sustainable development and investment.

​Key Partners & Event Highlights

​The festival is spearheaded by the Aklan Coffee and Cacao Council in partnership with: Provincial Government of Aklan,
​Department of Trade and Industry (DTI),Aklan Provincial Office, Local Government Unit (LGU) of Kalibo, Curve Coffee Collaborators ​Rotary Club of Metro Kalibo, and ​JCI Aklan Kalantiao.
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Attendees can expect a lineup of activities over the two-day period, including learning workshops, barista and processing demonstrations, competitive showcases, trade exhibits, and stakeholder discussions linking producers directly to commercial buyers.

​Organizers invite all Aklanons—from coffee enthusiasts and chocolate lovers to aspiring entrepreneurs and farmers—to support local produce and attend the event on October 24 and 25 at the Kalibo Pastrana Covered Court.
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