From Geisha to the world’s table: Panama, coffee’s great host

27-10-2026

With more than 300 exhibitors from 35 countries, coffees from over 17 origins, and dozens of specialized talks and lectures, Panama became the world capital of coffee for three days as it hosted World of Coffee 2026, the first edition ever held in Latin America and in a coffee-producing country.

The event was the result of three years of work by the Specialty Coffee Association and Panama’s coffee growers to bring World of Coffee to Panama for the first time. It drew 20,000 visitors from Panama and abroad.

The gathering’s international reach was also clear in the more than 400 participants connected to the World Barista Championship. It brought together, on a single stage, professionals from major coffee-producing regions such as Latin America and from consumer markets in Asia, Europe and North America. This strengthened knowledge exchange and business connections, and raised the global profile of Panama’s coffee industry.