Mount Merapi coffee producers expand market reach amid rising demand

Local coffee producers in the Mount Merapi region of Indonesia are seeing increased market activity through new marketing initiatives and rising consumer demand.

In Sleman Regency, the government has launched ‘Koling Merapi’ and ‘Darling Merapi’—mobile coffee marketing vehicles including three-wheeled vehicles and motorized carts. This program aims to promote local robusta coffee, specifically Kopi Nirmalagiri, by targeting tourist destinations and crowded areas. The initiative is supported by Rp599.7 million in aid from the Special Funds (Danais) of the Yogyakarta Provincial Government and CSR programs from Bank Indonesia, distributed to farmer groups and cooperatives.

Simultaneously, in Klaten, Sapuangin coffee from the slopes of Mount Merapi is experiencing a surge in popularity. Demand for the product has significantly outpaced local production capacity, forcing farmers to limit orders to ensure stock remains available until the next harvest. Producers in the Tegalmulyo area have revitalized coffee cultivation through improved post-harvest processing techniques, allowing them to produce high-value beans that are increasingly sought after in the market.