Sagada’s P17.54M coffee roastery project begins construction; Arabica industry expects further boost

Sagada, Mountain Province – A coffee roastery will soon be built in Sagada, Mountain Province, after the Sagada Arabica Coffee Growers and Processors Organization (SACGPO) secured the necessary clearance for the establishment of the facility.

Said coffee roastery is designed for the safe and efficient processing of coffee, transforming unroasted green beans into roasted coffee ready for packaging.

Within the facility, there are specific zones for green bean storage, roasting, cooling, destoning, grinding, and packing, as well as areas for ventilation, quality control (cupping), and dispatch.

In a press release, the Department of Agriculture–Cordillera (DA-CAR) reported that the project moved forward after the enterprise sub-project of SACGPO secured its No Objection Letter (NOL) 2, authorizing the award of the P17.54 million construction contract to Benguet Builders.

The project was made possible under the Department of Agriculture–Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP) Scale-Up Program, which primarily aims to help local farmers increase their income through the provision of necessary equipment, facilities, and other forms of support.

With the issuance of the clearance, the construction of the Sagada Gold Roasterie will begin once preparatory activities are completed. DA-CAR said a pre-construction conference will be held to discuss construction schedules, project guidelines, and requirements before the civil works commence.

Sagada is known for its rich Arabica coffee. According to the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Sagada Arabica is highly valued in the market because of its rarity and superior quality, with green beans priced at around P300 per kilogram and roasted beans costing more than P1,000 per kilogram.

The roastery project in the town is the Department of Agriculture’s response to this reputation, aiming to further develop local coffee production, processing, and marketing.