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 Aklan Coffee and Cacao Fest 2026 on Oct. 24–25, 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, the Rotary Club of Metro Kalibo, and JCI Aklan Kalantiao, the two-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, competitions, trade exhibits, coffee and tablea cupping sessions, and industry discussions. Participants will gain valuable insights into value-adding, product innovation, quality improvement, and sustainable industry development.

Highlights of the event include the Coffee Talk titled “From Farm to Cup: The Journey and Future of Liberica Coffee,” the Cacao Talk titled “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, and 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 micro, small, and medium enterprises, strengthen linkages among stakeholders, and pave the way for investments and partnerships that will contribute to the sector’s sustainable growth.

“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,” said DTI-Aklan Officer-in-Charge Provincial Director Grace M. Benedicto.

The event is open to farmers, processors, micro, small, and medium enterprises, café operators, students, government agencies, industry associations, investors, and the 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 at 8 a.m. Oct. 24 at the Kalibo Pastrana Park Covered Court, with representatives of all partner agencies and organizations attending to officially launch the festival.