Key takeaways:

• The eleventh version of Producer & Roaster Discussion board (PRF) will happen on 26 & 27 March 2026 on the Hilton Resort in San Salvador, El Salvador.
• The occasion will entice the most important variety of roaster attendees in its historical past.
• It would host PRF Voices, the fifth World Roasting Contest, the seventh Chilly Brew Espresso Championship, the second Soil of Excellence competitors, the second World Cupping Championship, Producer-Roaster Matchmaking, and Seed Join.
• The occasion may also coincide with the World Espresso Awards World Championship and can announce the winner of the World’s Best Espresso Packaging competitors.

On 26 & 27 March 2026, the eleventh version of Producer & Roaster Discussion board will happen on the Hilton Resort in San Salvador, El Salvador. 

This yr’s version will carry collectively the most important variety of roasters to this point. Over 4,200 guests and greater than 500 inexperienced patrons and worldwide roasters are anticipated to attend, with an estimated US$15.7m in enterprise gross sales.

Along with the PRF Voices programme, workshops, masterclasses, and cuppings, PRF El Salvador will host the fifth World Roasting Contest, the seventh Chilly Brew Espresso Championship, the second Soil of Excellence competitors, the second World Cupping Championship, Producer-Roaster Matchmaking, and Seed Join.

The occasion may also coincide with the World Espresso Awards World Championship, and can announce the winner of the World’s Best Espresso Packaging competitors.

Study extra about PRF right here.

PRF returns for eleventh and largest version

Occasions play a distinguished function in espresso advertising, however most happen in majority-consuming nations. For greater than ten years, PRF has instantly challenged this. The 2-day discussion board is held every year in a serious coffee-producing nation. Earlier hosts embrace El Salvador, Brazil, Guatemala, Honduras, and Colombia, all among the many world’s most vital espresso origins.

With value volatility defining the espresso business in 2025, roasters are looking for extra management over their provide chains and nearer ties with producers. In flip, occasions like PRF have grown in prominence.

“This yr’s version will entice the most important variety of roaster attendees ever,” says Andrea Melo-Leon, the COO of PRF. “Over the past decade, the occasion has develop into the business’s largest platform for roasters from world wide to attach with producers at origin.”

MTPak Espresso, a number one international provider of custom-printed espresso packaging, is the PRF Diamond Sponsor. The corporate has partnered on a multi-year deal to sponsor future occasions.

“We’re proud to be the Diamond Sponsor of PRF El Salvador, in addition to the sponsor of the Sourcing Journey Expertise (STE),” says Mark Zhou, the founding father of MTPak Espresso. “Partnering with PRF at such a excessive degree displays our continued dedication to producers, roasters, and the relationships that assist the espresso provide chain.

“The occasion has develop into one of the vital assembly factors in specialty espresso, bringing collectively decision-makers from origin and totally different worldwide markets to alternate concepts, construct partnerships, and form the way forward for the business.”

As a part of the partnership, PRF has launched MTPak Scholarships, enabling producers from El Salvador and different producing nations to attend the discussion board for free of charge. Functions shut on 15 February. Candidates can register right here.

Celebrating PRF’s ever-growing worldwide attain

The occasion’s distinctive format permits producers and roasters to domesticate long-lasting relationships to supply inexperienced espresso, drive innovation within the international espresso sector, and pose options to key business challenges.

“At PRF, I’m desirous to share sensible learnings from my work in an area that represents folks throughout the espresso worth chain,” says Griffin Corridor, the High quality Assurance Supervisor at Verve Espresso Roasters and a PRF speaker. 

“The occasion’s distinctive proximity to the supply of espresso helps us all higher connect with our friends who’re dedicated to rising, shopping for, and transferring espresso in mutually useful methods,” he provides. “I’m most wanting ahead to the conversations that occur exterior the formal classes.”

OBIIS (One Large Island in Area), a farm-direct mannequin that buys espresso from producers, is a PRF Gold Sponsor and a long-time associate. OBIIS will display the La Fortaleza documentary throughout PRF El Salvador. The documentary, which spotlights the success and challenges of Mexican espresso producers, premiered at PRF Honduras in 2025.

The Instituto Salvadoreño del Café (ISC), El Salvador’s nationwide espresso affiliation, is the Host Nation. Globally recognised for varieties reminiscent of Bourbon, Pacas, Cuacatleco, and Pacamara, Salvadoran espresso stands out not just for its sensory profiles but in addition for its sustainable shade-grown manufacturing mannequin.

Purposeful specialty espresso model Purity Espresso is a long-term associate and the PRF Bronze Sponsor. The corporate can also be a Producer Associate and can sponsor ten smallholder producers to attend the occasion.

Roasters attending

Over the past ten years, roasters and importers from greater than 40 nations have attended PRF occasions. These embrace the US, the UK, France, Spain, Germany, China, Japan, South Korea, Nigeria, Uganda, Australia, and plenty of extra.

This yr, confirmed attending roasters at PRF and the STE embrace the US’ Onyx Espresso Lab, Crucial Mass Espresso, Lofty Espresso, Lengthy Story Espresso, Verve Espresso, and Mill Cross Espresso. The UK’s Tree Artisan Espresso and Australia’s Ocean Grind may also attend.

World Espresso Awards World Championship

The World Espresso Awards (GCA) World Championship will happen on 24 & 25 March 2026. 

“The GCA World Championship has supported document roaster attendance at PRF El Salvador. The competitors celebrates excellence in specialty espresso roasting, in addition to the producers behind the coffees,” Andrea says. “The World Championship will assess coffees from one of the best of one of the best roasters in Europe, US & Canada, and Origin, culminating in a world champion.”

The US & Canada, Europe, and Origin regionals happened in September and October 2025. The regional Gold, Silver, and Bronze general class winners who qualify for the World Championship are right here.

“Our major aim in collaborating within the GCA was to carry recognition to the unbelievable coffees and producers we get to work with,” says Adam Walsh, the pinnacle of sourcing and roasting at Utopian Espresso, the regional US & Canada GCA winner. “I’ve taken half in quite a lot of competitions during the last 14 years, and what makes the GCA stand out is how goal the judging course of is. I like it when a espresso speaks for itself.

“I’m actually wanting ahead to creating new mates and getting to satisfy business friends on the World Championship,” he provides. “I like the specialty espresso group, and I can’t wait to have some fantastic conversations.”

All Gold, Silver, and Bronze general class winners of the US & Canada, Origin, and Europe occasions have been invited to take part within the World Championship – leading to PRF’s most partaking occasion to this point. Confirmed individuals embrace Utopian Espresso, Origin regional winner Casa Landino from Colombia, Poland’s Audun Espresso, Lithuania’s Vero Espresso Home, Greece’s Kafea Terra, Colombia’s Café Cultor, and El Salvador’s Academia Barista Professional.

World Espresso Awards & PRF Annual Dinner

On the night of 26 March on the Hilton Resort, the World Espresso Awards & PRF Annual Dinner will happen. Successful producers have additionally been invited to attend. Throughout this celebration, all profitable roasters from the three regional competitions, the producers behind every profitable espresso, and the newly topped World Champions will likely be formally introduced and recognised.

Tickets to the World Espresso Awards & PRF Annual Dinner are open to all PRF attendees and can be found right here. You too can view the data package right here.

Each particular person tickets and full tables can be found, together with a three-course dinner with full beverage service. Tables for teams of eight friends can be found and splendid for internet hosting shoppers, companions, or crew members. They provide precedence seating, elevated visibility, and added advantages designed to raise the ceremony and dinner expertise.

The World Espresso Awards & PRF Annual Dinner will present an unique alternative for attendees to community with leaders within the specialty espresso business from over 35 nations, together with roasters from Europe and North America and Cup of Excellence-winning producers.

World’s Best Espresso Packaging competitors

As a part of its Diamond Sponsorship, MTPak Espresso has launched the World’s Best Espresso Packaging (WGCP) competitors.

“We wish to have a good time excellent designs, options, and improvements from specialty espresso roasters world wide,” says Mark. “5 finalists will likely be introduced by 1 March 2026, and our skilled judging panel will then select an general winner, who will likely be introduced at PRF El Salvador.”

Entries will likely be evaluated by a panel of specialty espresso consultants primarily based on 4 standards: Design, Distinction (what makes the packaging so distinctive), Client Expertise (how simple it’s to open and reseal), and Environmental Duty, together with using recyclable or compostable supplies.

The 4 finalists and the winner can have their espresso packaging prominently displayed on MTPak Espresso’s mural at PRF El Salvador all through the occasion. They may also be featured in ongoing advertising campaigns throughout social media and the MTPak Schooling Centre.

Functions shut on 20 February 2026, and you’ll apply right here.

Different championships at PRF El Salvador

PRF hosts a few of the most fun competitions within the espresso business. The championships that can happen in El Salvador are:

• The fifth World Roasting Contest, sponsored by Cropster. Prime worldwide roasters compete for the technical and folks’s alternative profitable titles. Apply right here.
• The seventh Chilly Brew Espresso Championship, sponsored by Toddy. Baristas compete to develop chilly brews and signature drinks. Apply right here and think about the foundations right here.
• The second Soil of Excellence, sponsored by Belco. The competitors highlights the significance of soil well being and regenerative agriculture in producing high-quality espresso, and this version will focus particularly on coffees from El Salvador. Discover out extra about entry necessities right here.
• The second World Cupping Championship, sponsored by PDG Media. Opponents should consider aroma, flavour, acidity, physique, and stability with precision. Apply right here and see the foundations right here.

PRF Voices line-up introduced

Each PRF occasion hosts the PRF Voices programme, a sequence of lectures and panels led by a few of the business’s foremost consultants.

Over the past decade, audio system from greater than 36 nations have participated, discussing subjects throughout the espresso provide chain. This version will embrace fewer speaker slots to permit for extra targeted, detailed discussions. Confirmed audio system and subjects to this point embrace:

• High quality vs Novelty: Integrating Custom and Innovation in Specialty Espresso (Dakota Graff, Onyx Espresso Lab, US)
• Soil Chromatography: A Sensible Software for Natural and Regenerative Transition (Tulio Lozano, Hay Campo Para Todos, Colombia)
• Past the Cup Rating: Shifting Values of Well being-Acutely aware Consumers and Trade Alternatives (Ildi Revi, Purity Espresso, US)
• Surviving EUDR: Turning New Deforestation Laws right into a Aggressive Benefit (Mireya Levi, CLAC, Ecuador)
• Information-Pushed Espresso: How Producers and Roasters Keep Forward in 2026 (Griffin Corridor, Verve Espresso Roasters, US)
• Thermodynamics of Flavour: Roasting Protocols for Infused & Co-Fermented Coffees (Otto Cabrea, Tostaduría Puro Fermento, Guatemala)
• Understanding the World Espresso Awards: Requirements, Course of, and Affect (Martin Suard, L’Arbre à Café, France)
• The Decaf Increase: How one can Seize the Untapped 15% of the Market (Ezri Herrera, Swiss Water, Honduras)
• Resilience in a Unstable Market: Operational Methods for Progress When Sources are Tight (Anne Djerai, Metropolis Espresso Firm, US)
• Soil & Water Administration: Defending Yields and High quality in Espresso Manufacturing (Axel Schmidt, CRS, Peru)
• What Espresso Can Study from Craft Beer: Forecasting Developments & Future Challenges (Erik Bush, Lengthy Story Espresso, US)
• Engineering Constant Flavour Profiles & Mastering Fermentation Kinetics (Arturo Valencia, El Labrador, Colombia)
• What the Client Really Thinks: Information-Pushed Insights for Producers & Roasters (Nick Spilger, SIIP, US)

Extra audio system will likely be confirmed within the coming weeks.

Producer-Roaster Matchmaking & Seed Join

The Producer-Roaster Matchmaking programme, sponsored by Algrano, will return after its profitable launch at PRF 2025 Honduras. This area is devoted to facilitating face-to-face conversations via a fast, structured speed-networking format. Algrano may also provide provide chain experience, logistical assist, key monetary data, and dwell translations.

“We’re tremendous excited to sponsor the Matchmaking space at PRF El Salvador,” says Luiza Pereira, the Producer Engagement Supervisor at Algrano. “This area represents our core aim to assist significant, direct connections between producers and roasters. 

“PRF has pioneered areas like this at origin, and now we’ll carry our personal twist by connecting not solely roasters and producers but in addition different actors within the provide chain who can assist each other to make direct commerce occur.”

Forward of the occasion, Algrano and PRF will host the Spanish-language webinar titled “Muestras que conectan: ¿Por qué muchas de las muestras entregadas en ferias no tienen éxito?”. This webinar, going down on 19 February 12 pm EST, will assist producers enhance their pattern methods. Registration is open right here.

Seed Join at PRF is a brand new initiative that connects previous Seed winners with key decision-makers throughout the espresso business. 

“Seed Join is designed to open new doorways and create extra alternatives for people who find themselves innovating to positively impression the business,” Andrea says. “They’re placing their communities first, they usually deserve recognition and assist for these efforts.”

Previous scholarship recipients can have the chance to satisfy with exporters, model founders, patrons, and mentors to make sure Seed tasks develop with steady assist and steering. There may also be a public Seed Join panel session, adopted by a networking area the place attendees can meet previous winners, ask questions, and talk about collaboration.

What else is occurring at PRF El Salvador?

There will likely be an exhibition space the place attendees can community with main Latin American and worldwide corporations and organisations. These embrace producers, exporters, importers, roasters, espresso store homeowners, and extra.

Producer Companions Swiss Water, a decaf processing firm, and Catholic Reduction Providers, a world humanitarian company, may also present free entry for smallholder producers.

Volunteer Sponsor and specialty espresso importer Copan Commerce will host a cupping session and unique networking actions for volunteers.

Toddy and OBIIS may also host interactive, in-depth masterclasses on subjects reminiscent of farmgate costs and the way chilly brew can drive differentiation and consistency. These classes are open to all attendees and designed to create sensible studying alternatives.

Like different PRF occasions, the 2026 discussion board will embrace workshops and cuppings, showcasing a few of Latin America’s greatest producers and merchants and highlighting the area’s espresso range. There may also be an Espresso, a Brew, and a Chilly Brew Bar, sponsored by Toddy, the place producers can showcase their coffees and micro-lots and join with potential patrons.

PRF will return to El Salvador on 26 & 27 March 2026 for its eleventh and largest version. Extra roasters than ever will attend, culminating in certainly one of PRF’s most partaking occasions but.

Worldwide tickets and Sourcing Journey Expertise tickets are in the stores right here.

You possibly can keep updated with all bulletins for PRF right here or by subscribing to the e-newsletter right here.

Photograph credit: Producer & Roaster Discussion board

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