In the world of specialty coffee, few events command the global spotlight quite like the Best of Panama Auction (BoP). For decades, this competition and auction have served as the ultimate stage where Panama’s finest coffees are judged, celebrated, and sold to the highest bidders from every corner of the world. But the 2025 edition didn’t just live up to its reputation — it shattered expectations, rewriting the record books and cementing Panama’s role as the gold standard in coffee excellence.

Held online, the BoP auction brought together top international buyers, roasters, and collectors in a high-stakes bidding war that lasted hours. In the end, a single lot of washed Geisha from Hacienda La Esmeralda sold for a staggering US $30,204 per kilo, setting a new world record for green coffee.

A Legacy of Excellence

The Best of Panama competition began in 1996, originally designed to showcase the quality and diversity of Panamanian coffee. Over the years, it has become synonymous with the Geisha varietal, a rare Arabica strain celebrated for its floral complexity, tea-like body, and explosive aromatics. Since Hacienda La Esmeralda’s Geisha first stunned judges in 2004, this varietal has consistently set records at BoP, attracting attention from the most prestigious coffee buyers in Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and North America.

In recent years, BoP has evolved into a hybrid of fierce competition and a luxury auction — where winning lots are not just commodities but collectible works of agricultural art.

Highlights from the 2025 Auction

The 2025 auction was nothing short of historic. The star of the show — a washed Geisha with an exceptional score of 98.00 points — fetched an unprecedented price, totaling US $604,080 for the 20 kg lot. This sale alone set the tone for an evening of aggressive bidding and record-breaking enthusiasm.

In total, the 50 lots presented generated US $2,861,200 in sales, with an average price of US $2,861.20/kg. Notably, 30 of the 50 lots sold for more than US $1,000/kg — a testament to the extraordinary demand for Panama’s top coffees.

The record-breaking Geisha lot was purchased by Julith Coffee, a Dubai-based coffee company, making a dramatic statement about the Middle East’s growing role as a key player in the high-end coffee market.

Why This Matters

Beyond the headline numbers, BoP 2025 signals a deeper shift in how the world views coffee. These prices align coffee more closely with luxury goods like fine wine, rare whiskey, and collectible art. For producers, this means greater incentive to push quality boundaries, invest in experimental processing, and preserve the genetic diversity of coffee varietals.

For Panama, the results reinforce its identity as a micro-origin powerhouse. Despite its small size, the country continues to dominate the conversation in specialty coffee, thanks to its unique terroir, innovative producers, and an auction system that rewards excellence.

Impact on Producers and the Industry

• Economic boost: Higher auction prices directly benefit farmers, enabling reinvestment in farm infrastructure, processing equipment, and worker welfare.
• Global prestige: Winning producers gain international recognition, often leading to long-term supply relationships with premium roasters worldwide.
• Market inspiration: Other coffee-producing countries watch closely, inspired to develop their own competitions and direct-trade opportunities.

Looking Ahead

If BoP 2025 proved anything, it’s that the ceiling for specialty coffee prices is far from reached. With every record broken, buyers’ willingness to pay for exceptional quality only grows stronger. The question now is whether future auctions will see even higher bids — and how producers will continue to innovate to meet these lofty expectations.

For coffee lovers, the takeaway is clear: we are living in a golden era for Panamanian coffee. Whether enjoyed at a high-end café in Tokyo, a boutique roastery in Oslo, or in the comfort of your own kitchen, each cup carries the story of a producer whose work is valued like never before.

Sources & Further Reading

• Best of Panama (Official)
• Global Coffee Report – BoP 2025 Record
• Newsroom Panama – Auction Coverage
• Coffee Magazine – Record Price Story