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.
According to preliminary figures released by the organizers, nearly half of the attendees whose country was recorded came from Colombia, Costa Rica, the United States and Nicaragua. Counting exhibitors and World Barista Championship participants, the event reached all five continents, with representatives from countries such as Kenya, Egypt, South Africa, Saudi Arabia and Qatar; Asian markets including India, Vietnam, Malaysia and Japan; and New Zealand, Norway and Lithuania.
This Latin American edition of World of Coffee brought together coffee producers, buyers, roasters, baristas, entrepreneurs and industry specialists from many countries. They took part in trade exhibitions, international competitions, conferences, and forums for sharing knowledge and exploring business opportunities.
World Barista Championship 2026 Goes to China
Panama reached the semifinals through barista Benjamín Roque, who placed among the top 16 competitors, but the title of world’s best barista went to Pan Wei of China.
The World Barista Championship 2026 final was one of the highlights of the closing day of World of Coffee Panama 2026. The prestigious competition brought the world’s top baristas to Panama, where they showed their talent, creativity, knowledge and mastery of coffee preparation techniques.
Economic and Tourism Impact for Panama
According to the organizers, the global coffee event had a very positive economic impact on Panama, creating opportunities for tourism, hospitality, food service, transportation and other services.
They noted that, based on preliminary figures, accommodation records showed 72% occupancy. This reflects part of the event’s international reach but does not by itself measure its total economic impact.
World of Coffee Panama 2026 was organized by the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) and the Specialty Coffee Association of Panama (SCAP), in strategic partnership with the Panama Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture (CCIAP). The event is expected to return to Panama in 2029.
Source: TOURISM AND SOCIETY THINK TANK