Panama's Best of Panama coffee contest faces reduced Geisha harvest

Panama will host the XXX edition of the Best of Panama (BOP) competition with 102 high‑end coffee lots, including 70 Geisha varieties (35 washed, 35 natural) and 32 other varietals. The national tasting runs from 20‑24 July, followed by an international tasting from 28 July to 1 August, after which the selected lots will be offered in an electronic auction.

Producers report that climate variability – a season of heavy rains followed by a severe dry spell – cut the Geisha harvest by up to 30‑50 %. Despite the lower volume, they say the reduced fruit load has yielded sweeter, more intense beans, and they expect higher cupping scores. In the 2025 BOP auction, a Geisha lot fetched a record $30,204 per kilogram from a Dubai buyer. Organisers and growers, such as Ricardo Koyner of the Specialty Coffees Association of Panama (SCAP), remain confident the 2026 competition will showcase exceptional quality.