Discover Sabah’s best brews at the Sabah Int’l Coffee Festival

The Sabah International Coffee Festival (SICF2024) returns for its seventh year, promising a vibrant celebration of Borneo’s coffee culture from November 14 to 17, 2024, at Imago Shopping Mall in Kota Kinabalu.

Organisers anticipate over 30,000 visitors daily, drawn by an array of competitions, workshops, and exhibitors, solidifying the festival’s reputation as a premier event for coffee lovers and industry professionals alike.

Organising Chairman Alexander Francis Yulik highlighted the event’s growing international reach: “We’re bringing together industry players from China, Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, Brunei, and Vietnam.

Our platform caters to the entire coffee industry supply chain, creating valuable business matching opportunities,” he shared at a press conference on Tuesday.

An international platform for local talent

The festival, jointly organised by the Federation of Sabah Industries (FSI) and supported by the Sabah Ministry of Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship, aims to bridge local and international talent in coffee.

“This is a unique platform to highlight Sabah’s coffee industry, both at home and on the global stage,” Yulik said.

This year’s lineup includes four major events:

• Borneo Latte Art Competition
• Borneo Mixology Drinks Competition
• Borneo Kopi’o Competition
• Borneo Cup Tasters Competition

These contests celebrate creativity and precision, from latte art to flavour discernment, aiming to elevate local talent and expose them to international standards.

Celebrating Sabah’s coffee culture

Sabah is emerging as a coffee destination, with locals consuming an estimated 200 million cups annually.

From traditional Kopi-O to modern espresso-based drinks, the diverse preferences reflect Sabah’s evolving coffee culture, enhanced by a growing boutique coffee scene.

As a key component of Sabah’s food and beverage sector, the coffee industry supports the region’s booming tourism and hospitality market.

In 2012, the food and beverage industry employed over 100,000 Sabahans, a testament to its economic significance.

Richard Lim, FSI President, voiced his confidence in SICF2024’s impact: “With Alexander’s dedicated leadership, this year’s event will showcase Sabah’s thriving coffee culture and industry strength.”

This year’s festival will feature nearly 28 booths and kiosks, offering everything from local coffee blends to high-quality tea and cocoa products.

It aims to create a comprehensive showcase of Borneo’s unique offerings for visitors from around the world.

The Sabah International Coffee Festival, first launched in 2018, also integrates elements of Sabah’s rich indigenous culture, inviting tourists to explore not only coffee but the region’s broader heritage.

With each cup, Sabah’s unique coffee story unfolds—come and be a part of it.