Panama Coffee Beans

In Panama, the main production areas are located near the cities of Boquete and Volcan, especially on the highlands of Chiriquì. This region is also known as “the valley of the flowers and eternal spring,” because of its mild climate all year round, its geographical position, and its very fertile volcanic soil. This is one reason why Panama produces unique coffee varieties. 

Usually, coffee farms are placed near a freshwater source, which is helpful during the process of cleaning and washing the coffee. In Panama, producers only cultivate arabica coffee, harvested with the picking method. The flowering season usually is between April and June, the harvest season between August and February, and exportation between November and August.

Every stage in Panama’s coffee production is monitored meticulously. During the harvest season, hundreds of native Ngobe Buglè pick coffee beans by hand. Then, the cherries are carried to the beneficio (the processing plant), where they are weighed and inspected.

The main boarding ports are Cristobal and Balboa, producing around 95,000 coffee sacks per year.

Twenty years ago, local producers took advantage of the country’s unique coffee conditions and, given the period of price instability, created the Specialty Coffee Association of Panama. Now, local farmers follow quality standards and enjoy a good salary.