Which coffee association is hosting World of Coffee 2026?
The Specialty Coffee Association announced in Panama City a partnership with the Panama Specialty Coffee Association and the Panamanian Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture to bring the 2026 World of Coffee trade show to Panama. Scheduled for October 2026 at the Panama Convention Center, it marks the first time the event enters Central America and the first time it lands in a coffee-producing country.
The show has previously rotated across Asia, the Middle East and Europe, and the 2026 edition will be delivered by licensed partners SCAP and the Panamanian chamber, with a focus on deep connections to coffee-producing regions. The SCA CEO called the move an important step in promoting coffee consumption in world coffee producing countries. Central America's record in branding, cultivation, trade and consumption made Panama the chosen hub.
The Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) recently announced in Panama City a partnership with the Panama Specialty Coffee Association and the Panamanian Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture to jointly promote the hosting of the 2026 World of Coffee trade show in Panama. This will be the first time World of Coffee enters Central America, and also the first time the event lands in a coffee-producing country. With its outstanding performance in the specialty coffee sector and geographical advantages, Panama is regarded as an ideal hub connecting global coffee producers and traders. The SCA CEO stated that this move marks an important step in fulfilling the commitment to promoting coffee consumption in producing countries. This article outlines the background of the partnership, statements from all parties, and details of the event planning.
At the inauguration ceremony held at the Panama Convention Center in Panama City, the CEO and Board Chair of the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA), together with representatives and chairs from the Panama Specialty Coffee Association (SCAP), the Panama Chamber of Commerce, and the industrial and agricultural sectors, jointly announced a partnership plan. The partnership aims to bring the 2026 World of Coffee trade show to Panama and expand it into Central America.
It is reported that Panama Coffee World will be jointly created and delivered by licensed partners — the Panama Specialty Coffee Association (SCAP) and the Panamanian Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture — and is scheduled to take place in October 2026 at the Panama Convention Center. Previously, SCA's annual World of Coffee trade show has rotated across Asia, the Middle East, and Europe, and this will be the first time the event enters Central America.
The hosting of Panama Coffee World 2026 means Central America welcomes its first World of Coffee trade show, with a positioning that focuses on building deep connections with coffee-producing regions. This expansion reflects the vigorous momentum of Central America's specialty coffee industry, while also making Panama a hub easily accessible to both coffee producers and traders. Central America has demonstrated excellence in coffee branding, agricultural cultivation, coffee trade, and consumption, and is therefore regarded as an ideal location to host World of Coffee events, fully showcasing the region's key role in the global coffee landscape.
Regarding the expansion of the 2026 coffee event into Central America, SCA CEO Yannis Apostolopoulos expressed his delight. He said it is exciting to bring the "World of Coffee" trade show to Central America for the first time. Panama Coffee World 2026 is the first trade show held in a coffee-producing country, representing an important step forward in the commitment to promoting coffee consumption in producing countries. Panama Coffee World provides an ideal platform for global coffee professionals, producers, and traders to connect, expand their networks, and foster innovation in the specialty coffee sector. In addition, the Panama Specialty Coffee Association is able to tailor World of Coffee events to the region's unique coffee culture, thereby highlighting Central America's important position in the global coffee industry.
The Chairman of the Panamanian Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture (CCIAP) stated that this is a rare opportunity for Panama to showcase to the world the enormous potential of its exportable products and to promote Panama's high-altitude coffee.
In addition, the Chairman of the Panama Specialty Coffee Association (SCAP) added that SCA's choice of Panama as the first Latin American host for World of Coffee is recognition of Panama's unremitting efforts and helps position Panama coffee as one of the world's top coffees. This Panama Coffee World trade show will have a significant impact on multiple industries in Panama, with tourism, commerce, and services all benefiting. Therefore, the association will work closely with the Panamanian Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture to ensure the project's complete success.
The above content is compiled by CoffeeHunters, a coffee news website.
