Panama City hosted the opening of World of Coffee Panamá 2026 on Friday, October 23, a landmark Panama coffee event that marks the first time the international gathering has been held in a Latin American producing country. President José Raúl Mulino inaugurated the event at the Panama Convention Center, where it will run through October 25, drawing an estimated 13,000 attendees including producers, buyers, and consumers from around the world.
The event aims to share knowledge, showcase preparation techniques, and highlight the quality of Panamanian coffee in the global marketplace. Organizers expect the gathering to serve as a platform for connecting local growers with international investors and buyers seeking specialty beans.
Government Support and National Pride for Our Coffee
Mulino emphasized that hosting the event positions Panama’s coffee sector alongside its more famous assets. “We already have not just the Canal, we have a coffee, we have a logistics center and those things, of course, attract many people,” the president said [Translated from Spanish]. He expressed particular pride that the event is being held for the first time in a Latin American producing country.
The president acknowledged the work of families dedicated to coffee production, especially in Chiriquí province where he is from. He noted that quality coffee is not limited to the Tierras Altas region, with other areas of the country also cultivating beans of high quality. Mulino singled out the Specialty Coffee Association of Panama for its role in positioning the country as a global reference point in the industry.
“A glass of water and a cup of coffee are not denied to anyone. I feel very proud that this event is being held for the first time in the Latin American region in a producing country like ours,” he stated [Translated from Spanish].
Earthquake Response and Economic Continuity
The president addressed the recent earthquake that affected communities in the country, acknowledging the needs of those impacted. But he stressed that Panama must continue with its economic activities and national agenda, with the coffee event serving as a key part of that continuity. The gathering is expected to generate significant economic activity through tourism and commercial transactions.
Part of the event’s proceeds will be directed to the Red Cross for earthquake relief efforts, linking the international trade show with domestic humanitarian response. Organizers structured the event to combine business development with social responsibility.
Panama Coffee Event Showcases Sensory Diversity
Mulino admitted he is not a heavy coffee drinker but acknowledged the beverage’s presence in nearly every Panamanian household, including his own. He made light of his participation in The Best of Panamá competition, where international and national judges evaluated the country’s finest coffees. “I didn’t know that coffees smelled like so many things, to me they smell like coffee,” he joked [Translated from Spanish].
The event provides a platform for producers to present different varieties, price points, and flavor profiles to a global audience. For small producers who have recently entered the industry, the gathering offers exposure to markets that might otherwise remain inaccessible. Mulino recognized both established coffee families and newcomers, noting that both groups have worked hard to reach their current positions.
The three-day event continues through Sunday at the Panama Convention Center, showcasing the finest of the global coffee industry and offering attendees the chance to taste an extraordinary array of flavor profiles.