Exhibiting at IFEX Philippines 2025

Atbang Farm Food Forest is a pioneering permaculture farm and artisan chocolate producer located in Calape, Bohol, Philippines. Specializing in heirloom cacao cultivation and sustainable food systems, Atbang has emerged as a celebrated brand in the Philippine fine chocolate and organic wellness market under the banner of "Atbang Fine Chocolate."

Brief History

Founded by Efrenia Cantoneros-Holt, Atbang began as a modest regenerative agriculture project and evolved into a comprehensive permaculture food forest. It integrates ecological farming with social entrepreneurship to create value-added cacao-based and health-focused products. From an annual revenue of ₱23,000 in 2022, the business scaled significantly to ₱693,000 in 2024, showcasing rapid and impactful growth in just two years.

Core Business

Atbang operates at the intersection of agriculture, wellness, and fine food manufacturing. It combines forest-based farming techniques, sustainable food production, and community capacity-building, with a particular emphasis on heirloom cacao and coconut-based products. The farm also serves as an educational space and model for ecological agriculture practices.

Product and Service Offerings

Atbang offers a premium range of handmade and organic-certified products:

• Artisan Chocolate Bars:

  • Dark chocolate bars in 60%, 72%, 85%, and 100% cacao content
  • Specialty flavors: salted caramel bonbons, rum-infused dark chocolate

• Tablea (Cacao Tablets and Powder):

  • Molded traditional cacao discs
  • Finely ground tablea powder for drinking chocolate

• Cacao Tisane:

  • Herbal tea made from roasted cacao husks

• Virgin Coconut Oil:

  • Cold-processed, pure oil from organically grown coconuts

• Wild Raw Honey:

  • Harvested from forest bee colonies in native habitats

These products are handcrafted in small batches using regenerative farming practices and sustainable processing methods.

Specialisation and Core USP

Atbang distinguishes itself through:

• Full-cycle permaculture-based cacao production
• Integration of indigenous farming knowledge and practices
• Emphasis on organic and chemical-free processing
• Production of single-origin, traceable artisan chocolate

Its brand, Atbang Fine Chocolate, is recognized for quality, sustainability, and authenticity in the Philippine craft chocolate sector.

Financials

Atbang has demonstrated significant financial growth:

• ₱23,000 in 2022 ➝ ₱693,000 in 2024 (an increase of 2,913%)
• Driven by increased demand for natural chocolate and export-quality tablea
• Revenue sources include retail sales, farm tours, and educational workshops

The enterprise functions as both an economic and educational platform, strengthening livelihoods for local farmers and indigenous communities.

Shipment Data

While primarily operating within the Philippines, Atbang has begun reaching global interest:

• Export inquiries for cacao products are growing
• Online orders are managed through farm networks and social media
• Products distributed at regional fairs and cacao expos such as KakaoKonek

Target Market

The brand appeals to:

• Health-conscious consumers seeking organic chocolate
• Specialty food retailers and eco-boutiques
• Café owners, chocolatiers, and baking enthusiasts
• Educational institutions interested in sustainable agriculture

Capabilities

• In-house chocolate kitchen and fermentation station
• Full-cycle cacao processing from fermentation to molding
• Forest bee and coconut farming integrated into the agro-ecosystem
• Training modules on permaculture and organic cacao farming

Certifications and Compliance

While not all products carry formal organic certifications, Atbang adheres strictly to:

• Chemical-free farming
• Sustainable agroecological practices
• Farm complies with local health and food production permits

Plans are underway to obtain third-party organic certification and international food safety documentation.

Customer Testimonials

Patrons commend Atbang for:

• Authentic taste and aroma of single-origin cacao
• Ethical and transparent sourcing
• Contribution to community development and agroforestry
• Top-rated Tablea drink, cited among the Top 5 in the Philippines

These affirmations have come from food critics, trade shows, and verified consumers.

Major Achievements

• Revenue growth of over 2,900% in two years
• Awarded for having one of the Top 5 Tablea Drinks in the Philippines
• Featured in KakaoKonek, a national cacao stakeholder summit
• Expanded product lines while maintaining farm sustainability principles
• Active presence in organic and permaculture advocacy networks

Atbang Farm Food Forest continues to prove that agriculture, when done regeneratively and mindfully, can yield not just food but community, economy, and ecological harmony.