Brewing a Brighter Future: Aklan Coffee and Cacao Fest 2026

Kalibo, Aklan – Aklan is set to honor the journey from farm to cup and bean to bar as it hosts the
first-ever Aklan Coffee and Cacao Fest 2026 on 24-25 October 2026, at the Kalibo Pastrana
Park Covered Court in Poblacion, Kalibo, Aklan. Carrying the theme, “One Bean. One Cup.

One Aklan,” the festival brings together coffee lovers, cacao enthusiasts, farmers, entrepreneurs,
and industry stakeholders in a celebration of the passion, craftsmanship, and resilience that
continue to fuel the growth of Aklan’s coffee and cacao industries.

Organized by the Aklan Coffee and Cacao Council in partnership with the Department of Trade
and Industry – Aklan Provincial Office, the Provincial Government of Aklan, the Local
Government Unit of Kalibo, Curve Coffee Collaborators, Rotary Club of Metro Kalibo and
JCI Aklan Kalantiao, the 2-day event aims to promote locally grown coffee and cacao, strengthen
enterprise development, expand market opportunities and encourage collaboration among key
players across the value chain.

The festival will showcase Aklan’s locally-produced coffee and cacao products through a series
of engaging activities, including learning sessions, product demonstrations, various competitions,
trade exhibits, coffee and tablea cupping sessions and industry discussions. Participants will gain
valuable insights on value-adding, product innovation, quality improvement, and sustainable
industry development.

The highlights of the event include the Coffee Talk entitled “From Farm to Cup: The Journey and
Future of Liberica Coffee,” the Cacao Talk with the title “Beyond the Bean: Shaping the Future of
Cacao,” coffee and tablea cupping sessions, a chocolate-making workshop and competition,
manual brewing and latte art competitions, as well as a cacao and coffee bazaar featuring local
products and enterprises.

The Aklan Coffee and Cacao Fest is expected to increase public appreciation for the province’s
coffee and cacao industries, create greater market exposure for local producers and MSMEs,
strengthen linkages among stakeholders, and pave the way for new investments and partnerships
that will contribute to the sustainable growth of the sector.

“The first-ever Aklan Coffee and Cacao Fest is a testament to the growing strength and potential
of our local coffee and cacao industries. It celebrates the hardworking farmers, MSMEs, and
partners who continue to turn opportunities into success. Together, we are cultivating a future
where every bean and every harvest contributes to greater prosperity and pride for Aklan,” says
DTI-Aklan OIC-Provincial Director Grace M. Benedicto.

The event is open to farmers, processors, MSMEs, café operators, students, government
agencies, industry associations, investors, and the general public. Through this initiative,
organizers hope to spotlight Aklan’s potential as an emerging hub for high-quality coffee and
cacao while supporting the continued development of local enterprises and farming communities.
An Opening Program will be held on 24 October, 8:00am, at the Kalibo Covered Court with
the attendance of all partner agencies and organizations to officially launch the start of the
program.