Following the conclusion of the 30th Best of Panama competition, the international specialty coffee industry is turning its attention to World of Coffee Panama 2026, taking place 23-25 October at the Panama Convention Center.

Organised by the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA), the Specialty Coffee Association of Panama (SCAP) and the Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture of Panama (CCIAP), the event will mark two industry milestones: it will be the first World of Coffee held in Latin America and the first hosted by a coffee-producing country.

World of Coffee Panama 2026 is expected to attract 13,000 domestic and international participants and more than 320 exhibitors representing over 30 countries: Germany, Saudi Arabia, Bolivia, Brazil, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Denmark, Ecuador, El Salvador, the United Arab Emirates, Spain, France, Guatemala, Indonesia, Italy, Jamaica, South Korea, Mexico, Nicaragua, the Netherlands, Panama, Qatar, Switzerland, Turkey, the United Kingdom, the United States and Venezuela, among other markets.

The event will bring together producers, buyers, importers, exporters, roasters, baristas, equipment manufacturers, distributors and industry professionals from Asia, Europe, Oceania, North America, Latin America, and other markets. It will connect global specialty coffee supply with international buyers and decision-makers while creating opportunities for trade, investment, market access, knowledge exchange, and long-term commercial partnerships.

A global business platform for specialty coffee
For three days, the Panama Convention Center will host trade exhibitions, business meetings, educational sessions, conferences, cuppings, and activities focused on technology, innovation, sustainability, and market development.

International buyers will have access to coffees, producers, suppliers and companies representing multiple origins and industry segments. Producers and exporters will be able to engage directly with importers, roasters, distributors, equipment companies, and other potential business partners.

Panama’s geographic position, extensive air connectivity, dollarized economy, logistics infrastructure, and experience in hosting international events support its role as a gateway between Latin American producing countries and the world’s major coffee markets.

Ricardo Koyner, president of the Specialty Coffee Association of Panama, said holding the event in a producing country will bring the global trade community closer to coffee origin. “World of Coffee Panama will bring the diversity of the global specialty coffee sector to our country. Producers, buyers, roasters, baristas and professionals from different markets will be able to meet directly, establish commercial relationships and exchange knowledge in a producing country that also operates as an international hub for business and connectivity.”

He added that Panama’s coffee sector has built its international reputation through quality, traceability, and market confidence. “This will be an opportunity for the international community to experience firsthand the work, knowledge and innovation behind every cup. Panama has built a reputation based on quality, traceability, transparency, and trust; now we will be able to share that experience directly from origin”.

Connecting international markets with coffee origin
Hosting World of Coffee in Panama will enable international professionals to engage more closely with producing regions, farmers, coffee varieties, processing methods, and the wider value chain.

The event will highlight the depth and diversity of Panamanian coffee beyond the internationally recognised Geisha variety, while also providing a platform for coffees and companies from Latin America and other producing regions.

World of Coffee Panama will connect production, processing, evaluation, trade, roasting, preparation, technology, sustainability, and consumer experience in a single international venue.

World Barista Championship comes to Latin America
Panama will also host the World Barista Championship, scheduled for 22-25 October.

For the first time, Latin America will welcome the world’s leading barista competition. National champions from different countries will demonstrate their technical skills, coffee knowledge, creativity and presentation abilities before international judges and industry professionals.

Holding the championship in a producing country will create a direct connection between the competition stage and the farms, producers, varieties, and processes behind the coffees used by baristas.

The championship will also highlight how the coffee value chain creates value, from production and processing to roasting, preparation, and the consumer experience.

“Panamá, sabe a café”
The final stretch toward the event will be supported by the nationwide campaign “Panamá, sabe a café”, an invitation to recognise that coffee is part of Panama’s history, economy, culture, and identity.

The campaign will showcase the professional dimension of World of Coffee Panama while also presenting the experience of coffee in Panama through its farms, cities, communities, coffee shops, gastronomy, natural environment, and hospitality.

It will also give visibility to producers, coffee pickers, farmworkers, cuppers, roasters, exporters, baristas, entrepreneurs, and all those who make it possible for Panamanian coffee to reach markets and consumers around the world.

As part of this nationwide mobilisation, Coffee Weeks will take place from 15-31 October, with participating coffee shops, restaurants, hotels and other establishments offering products and experiences created around Panamanian specialty coffee. The initiative will extend the experience beyond the trade show floor and connect World of Coffee Panama with local consumers and international visitors.

The invitation to participate extends to public institutions, private companies, retailers, hotels, restaurants, coffee shops, tour operators, transportation providers, students, professionals, and citizens.

Presenting Panama at its best means welcoming visitors with hospitality, delivering quality service, keeping spaces clean and orderly, providing clear information, and proudly showcasing the country’s culture, diversity, and talent.

For more information or to register for World of Coffee Panama, visit: panama.worldofcoffee.org