The 3rd Dumaguete Coffee Festival is expected to ramp up the local coffee industry and bolster sales and market opportunities in Negros Oriental, an official of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said yesterday.

Maribel Sumanoy, DTI-Negros Oriental division chief for SMEs (small and medium enterprises) and DTI Region 7 focal person for coffee, said the festival will promote coffee farmers, business entities, and individuals working in the industry.

“It’s an activity to help promote our coffee industry and serves as a marketing platform for coffee farmers, coffee shops, retail suppliers of coffee equipment, and other stakeholders to gather together in one setting,” Sumanoy said in an interview.

Twenty-five exhibitors will be taking part in the Coffee Festival scheduled for July 17 to 23 at the Atrium of Robinsons Place shopping mall in Dumaguete.

The first Coffee Festival only had 10 exhibitors while the second, which was held last year, had 22, Sumanoy said.

This is an indication that the coffee industry in the province is picking up and there are more industry players who strive to compete with national and some at international markets, she added.

The event highlights three competitions for brewers, latte art and the barista challenge. (PNA)