Article written: October 30, 2026
How did World of Coffee Panama 2026 end? With about 20,000 visitors, more than 300 exhibitors from 35 countries and a $25,000 donation to the Panamanian Red Cross for families affected by the October 9 earthquake. The event ran October 22 to 25 at the Panama Convention Center and was the first World of Coffee held in Latin America and in a coffee-producing country.
Organizers had projected 13,000 visitors, so the final figure came in well above the forecast. As we reported on October 16, the fair came weeks after the record Geisha auction results, and it closed with a world title.
What Were the Key Numbers?
| Item | Result |
|---|---|
| Visitors | About 20,000 (13,000 forecast) |
| Exhibitors | 300+ from 35 countries |
| Coffee origins represented | 17+ |
| Foreign share of visitors with a known country | Nearly half |
| International share of attendees reporting hotel stays | 72% (preliminary) |
| Average hotel stay reported | 6.5 days |
| Donation to the Panamanian Red Cross | $25,000 |
The visitor figures are preliminary data released by the Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture of Panama (CCIAP) on October 25, and are subject to update.
Who Organized the Event and Who Attended?
The Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) and the Specialty Coffee Association of Panama (SCAP) organized the fair in partnership with the CCIAP. President José Raúl Mulino attended the opening ceremony.
Producers, buyers, roasters, baristas and specialty coffee businesspeople filled the floor. Foreign visitors came mainly from Colombia, Costa Rica, the United States and Nicaragua, with delegations from Kenya, Egypt, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, India, Vietnam, Malaysia, Japan, New Zealand, Norway and Lithuania. A report citing the Ministry of Commerce and Industries says 17 Panamanian companies exhibited in the official national pavilion.
Who Won the World Barista Championship?
Pan Wei of China won the 2026 World Barista Championship, which closed the event. National champions from around 60 countries competed, and the championship involved more than 400 participants, according to La Prensa.
Why Did Organizers Call It a Business Event?
CCIAP president Aurelio Barría said the fair showed Panama can attract international meetings and create trade opportunities, and that the goal is for the new connections to benefit producers, businesspeople and the national economy. SCAP president Ricardo Koyner said it was a chance to strengthen Panamanian coffee, especially Geisha, in international markets and to build trade ties with producing and consuming countries.
Outside the convention center, the Coffee Weeks program ran from October 15 to 31 and involved cafés and other businesses with special offerings for residents and visitors.
Casa Solution’s View: Why This Event Is Worth Attending
For anyone who wants to connect with Panama’s coffee industry, this is the event to go to. Beyond the headline numbers, one of its strengths is how many small suppliers share the floor with the big names. Roasters, café owners, equipment sellers and growers can meet face to face in one place, which is hard to replicate anywhere else.
It was also well attended in a difficult month. Panama was still recovering from the earthquake, yet the fair brought international visitors to the country’s hotels and raised money for the families hit hardest. Whether or not the event returns to Panama, the relationships formed on that floor are likely to outlast the three days.
