Magelang Regency holds major potential for coffee commodity development
Bupati Magelang Grengseng Pamuji stated that Magelang Regency, Central Java, possesses major potential for coffee commodity development, supported by its favourable geographical position. Geographically, this region lies in a highland area with altitudes between 800 and 1,200 metres above sea level, underpinned by fertile volcanic soil, adequate rainfall and an ideal ecosystem for growing quality coffee, both Arabica and Robusta varieties. He conveyed this during the Socialisation and Education on Intellectual Property Protection and the BRIN Goes to Society Technology Dissemination event for coffee stakeholders.
In 2025, the area of Robusta coffee plantations in Magelang Regency reached 2,305.15 hectares, whilst Arabica coffee covered 1,075.64 hectares with productivity reaching 6.7 tonnes per hectare for red cherry. According to him, this condition indicates coffee is a strategic commodity playing a vital role in supporting the community’s economy, specifically farmers and MSME players from upstream to downstream. In fact, coffee has been designated as one of the regional superior products in the Regional Master Plan and Roadmap for the Advancement of Science and Technology (RIPJ PID) for Magelang Regency 2025-2029.
Coffee development is deemed to have a major opportunity for integration with the tourism sector through agritourism and culinary tourism concepts, as well as the agro-industry based industrial sector. Magelang’s Arabica coffee has received recognition in the form of a Geographical Indication (IG) certificate under the brand Kopi Arabika Merapi Merbabu since 2022. Meanwhile, Robusta coffee is being prepared for registration as an IG product in June 2026. Nevertheless, the development of the coffee industry in Magelang still faces a number of challenges, ranging from cultivation aspects and productivity to the uneven application of agronomic techniques. In some Arabica coffee centres, a fairly high plant mortality rate has been found, impacting productivity decline and increased rejuvenation costs.
On the post-harvest side, limitations in drying facilities, processing equipment and infrastructure access constrict the production of high-quality goods. In the downstream sector, coffee utilisation remains dominated by raw materials or simple products, meaning the added value generated is not yet optimal. Through this activity, the Magelang Regency Government hopes to build pentahelix synergy between the government, academia, businesses, communities and media to develop coffee as a competitive superior commodity.