World of Coffee is a great opportunity for coffee professionals worldwide to explore, connect, learn, and grow. Taking place in Athens from June 22 to the 24, 2023, this year’s event builds upon the success of last’s year show in Milan. World of Coffee Athens 2023 is anticipated to be the largest and most exceptional event, featuring over 300 exhibitors, and attracting 10,000 attendees from more than 80 countries.
In this context, Panama has made an impressive appearance with two pavilions, supported by PROPANAMA, the Export and Investment Promotion Authority of Panama , which were inaugurated during the first day of the show by Her Excellency the Ambassador of the Republic of Panama in Greece, Ms. Julie Lymberopulos. “We are very happy to be here and have the opportunity to present Panamanian coffee. The country has many varieties, such as Geisha, which stands out for its different flavors, Kotowa, which seems to be very popular both in Greece and in the rest of Europe, and of course Arabica. We will continue to support the coffee farms and we invite the Greeks to try our coffee, but also to visit Panama” said Ms. Lymberopulos.
At the PANAMA COFFEE & CACAO pavilion visitors can connect with representatives from several Panamanian coffee companies, such as: Café Gallardo, Beneficio El Bajareque, Cuencafe, Café Palo Alto, Kotowa, Garrido Specialty Coffee, Café Suarez, Finca Lerida, Kiva Estate and Toños Cafe Bakery, while at the PANAMA GEISHA pavilion, guests can get to know Geisha, a product of Chiriqui highlands in the western part of Panama, located at the foothills of the Baru volcano, the highest point in the country. It is worth mentioning that Geisha variety is considered the most expensive and undoubtedly one of the best specialty coffee varieties in the world.
According to Mr. Travis Taliaferro, Promotor of Exports at PROPANAMA, Panama’s Specialty Coffee Association has created an incredible branding and a very successful case study, especially around Geisha variety. “We’ve been able to unify different associations with different varieties of coffees and working together to promote Panama as a whole has been a great opportunity to position Panama in the coffee industry, following up all with the other efforts we have done also previously with the Specialty Coffee Association with the brand of Panama Geisha” adds Mr.Taliaferro, rating Panama’s participation at the World of Coffee in Athens as very important.
Antonio Androutsos, founder of Toños Cafe Bakery expressed his belief that the World of Coffee is a great opportunity to promote their company at a Show where the best coffee players are gathered, He hopes to eventually enter the Greek market.
While Café Kotowa’s President, Mr. Ricardo Koyner talked about the company’s latest launch, a coffee liquor made of Geisha beans, considering the World of Coffee as “the best meeting point”.
Mr. Alexis Espino, Corporate Social Responsibility Manager at Canal de Panama emphasized the importance of environment protection, stating that sustainability practices can still lead to high- quality coffee.
Mr. Hunter Tedman, Manager at Beneficio Bajareque and President of SCAP (Specialty Coffee Association of Panama) highlighted the fact that SCAP offers direct trade, bringing coffee from over a hundred small farmers in Panama. “Hopefully, through this channel, we will make it more accessible to the European market”, said Mr. Tedman.
Mr. Wilford Lamastus, CEO of Lamastus Family Estates expressed his satisfaction with the company’s participation in the World of Coffee, specifically their Panama Geisha booth. He also highlighted the show’s global appeal, attracting coffee enthusiasts, from all corners of the world.
Mr. Frank Tedman, President at Palo Alto Agroindustrial S.A talked about the specialty coffee of the company, which is 100% Arabica, ground, processed, roasted and packed by the producer. “We are making a big effort to establish a commercial relationship with European companies that are interested in this type of product”, said Mr. Tedman. Last, but not least,
Mr. Daniel Peterson, Manager at Hacienda La Esmeralda who participates as member of SCAP, accompanied by 16 farmers who brought samples of their coffees, expressed his excitement about the fact that the company has been highly regarded for the quality elements of its coffee.
For more information about Panama’s export sector, please visit: https://propanama.gob.pa/en/sectores_exportacion
