TACLOBAN CITY — Coffee enthusiasts and chocolate lovers across Eastern Visayas gathered at Robinsons Tacloban on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, for the official opening of the Leyte Coffee and Choco Festival. Organized in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Leyte Provincial Office, the three-day trade event showcases homegrown agriculture and artisanal food processors.
Showcasing Local Agri-Entrepreneurs and Artisanal Products
Running through Thursday, October 1, 2026, at the Level 1 Expansion Activity Area, the festival serves as a primary marketing platform for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs):
Featured Local Booths: Participating vendors from across Leyte offer a wide range of locally sourced coffee beans, ground roasts, tablea chocolates, and cacao-based confectioneries.
Leyte Brew Battle: Featured as a major highlight on September 30, local baristas and home brewers compete in the manual coffee brewing tournament to demonstrate extraction techniques and regional flavor profiles.
Economic Support for Farmers: DTI Leyte officials emphasized that direct-to-consumer expos help rural coffee and cacao farmers expand their market reach and connect directly with commercial cafe operators.
Promoting Regional MSME Development in Eastern Visayas
The festival reflects ongoing institutional efforts to strengthen Leyte's agricultural value chain and promote local consumption:
Value-Chain Strengthening: Partnering with regional mall operators provides local food entrepreneurs with high-foot-traffic retail spaces to build brand recognition.
Community Invitation: DTI Leyte invites residents, tourists, and prospective business partners to visit the showcase during mall hours until October 1 to support local agri-tourism and regional trade.
