Key takeaways:
- The eleventh version of Producer & Roaster Discussion board (PRF) will happen on 26 & 27 March 2026 on the Hilton Lodge in San Salvador, El Salvador.
- The occasion will appeal to the most important variety of roaster attendees in its historical past.
- It can host PRF Voices, the fifth International Roasting Contest, the seventh Chilly Brew Espresso Championship, the second Soil of Excellence competitors, the second International Cupping Championship, Producer-Roaster Matchmaking, and Seed Join.
- The occasion may even coincide with the International Espresso Awards World Championship and can announce the winner of the World’s Biggest Espresso Packaging competitors.
On 26 & 27 March 2026, the eleventh version of Producer & Roaster Discussion board will happen on the Hilton Lodge in San Salvador, El Salvador.
This 12 months’s version will carry collectively the most important variety of roasters to date. 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 International Roasting Contest, the seventh Chilly Brew Espresso Championship, the second Soil of Excellence competitors, the second International Cupping Championship, Producer-Roaster Matchmaking, and Seed Join.
The occasion may even coincide with the International Espresso Awards World Championship, and can announce the winner of the World’s Biggest Espresso Packaging competitors.
Be taught extra about PRF right here.
PRF returns for eleventh and largest version
Occasions play a outstanding position in espresso advertising and marketing, however most happen in majority-consuming nations. For greater than ten years, PRF has straight challenged this. The 2-day discussion board is held every year in a significant coffee-producing nation. Earlier hosts embody 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 searching for extra management over their provide chains and nearer ties with producers. In flip, occasions like PRF have grown in prominence.
“This 12 months’s version will appeal to the most important variety of roaster attendees ever,” says Andrea Melo-Leon, the COO of PRF. “During the last decade, the occasion has change into the business’s largest platform for roasters from all over the world to attach with producers at origin.”
MTPak Espresso, a number one world 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 change into probably the most vital assembly factors in specialty espresso, bringing collectively decision-makers from origin and totally different worldwide markets to trade 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 world espresso sector, and pose options to key business challenges.
“At PRF, I’m desperate to share sensible learnings from my work in an area that represents individuals 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 outdoors the formal periods.”
OBIIS (One Massive Island in House), a farm-direct mannequin that buys espresso from producers, is a PRF Gold Sponsor and a long-time companion. OBIIS will display screen 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 resembling Bourbon, Pacas, Cuacatleco, and Pacamara, Salvadoran espresso stands out not just for its sensory profiles but additionally for its sustainable shade-grown manufacturing mannequin.
Useful specialty espresso model Purity Espresso is a long-term companion and the PRF Bronze Sponsor. The corporate can also be a Producer Companion and can sponsor ten smallholder producers to attend the occasion.
Roasters attending
During the last ten years, roasters and importers from greater than 40 nations have attended PRF occasions. These embody the US, the UK, France, Spain, Germany, China, Japan, South Korea, Nigeria, Uganda, Australia, and plenty of extra.
This 12 months, confirmed attending roasters at PRF and the STE embody the US’ Onyx Espresso Lab, Essential 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 even attend.
International Espresso Awards World Championship
The International Espresso Awards (GCA) World Championship will happen on 24 & 25 March 2026.
“The GCA World Championship has supported file 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 the perfect of the perfect roasters in Europe, US & Canada, and Origin, culminating in a world champion.”
The US & Canada, Europe, and Origin regionals occurred in September and October 2025. The regional Gold, Silver, and Bronze general class winners who qualify for the World Championship are right here.
“Our most important purpose in participating within the GCA was to carry recognition to the unbelievable coffees and producers we get to work with,” says Adam Walsh, the top of sourcing and roasting at Utopian Espresso, the regional US & Canada GCA winner. “I’ve taken half in a whole 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 pals and getting to satisfy business friends on the World Championship,” he provides. “I really like the specialty espresso group, and I can’t wait to have some great 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 participating occasion so far. Confirmed individuals embody 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.
International Espresso Awards & PRF Annual Dinner
On the night of 26 March on the Hilton Lodge, the International Espresso Awards & PRF Annual Dinner will happen. Profitable producers have additionally been invited to attend. Throughout this celebration, all successful roasters from the three regional competitions, the producers behind every successful espresso, and the newly topped World Champions shall be formally introduced and recognised.
Tickets to the International Espresso Awards & PRF Annual Dinner are open to all PRF attendees and can be found right here. You may also view the data equipment 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 visitors can be found and supreme for internet hosting shoppers, companions, or group members. They provide precedence seating, elevated visibility, and added advantages designed to raise the ceremony and dinner expertise.
The International 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 Biggest Espresso Packaging competitors
As a part of its Diamond Sponsorship, MTPak Espresso has launched the World’s Biggest Espresso Packaging (WGCP) competitors.
“We wish to rejoice excellent designs, options, and improvements from specialty espresso roasters all over the world,” says Mark. “5 finalists shall be introduced by 1 March 2026, and our knowledgeable judging panel will then select an general winner, who shall be introduced at PRF El Salvador.”
Entries shall 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 straightforward it’s to open and reseal), and Environmental Duty, together with using recyclable or compostable supplies.
The 4 finalists and the winner could have their espresso packaging prominently displayed on MTPak Espresso’s mural at PRF El Salvador all through the occasion. They may even be featured in ongoing advertising and marketing campaigns throughout social media and the MTPak Training Centre.
Functions shut on 20 February 2026, and you may apply right here.
Different championships at PRF El Salvador
PRF hosts a number of the most fun competitions within the espresso business. The championships that may happen in El Salvador are:
- The fifth International Roasting Contest, sponsored by Cropster. Prime worldwide roasters compete for the technical and folks’s selection successful 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 consider the principles 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 International Cupping Championship, sponsored by PDG Media. Rivals should consider aroma, flavour, acidity, physique, and stability with precision. Apply right here and see the principles right here.
PRF Voices line-up introduced
Each PRF occasion hosts the PRF Voices programme, a sequence of lectures and panels led by a number of the business’s foremost consultants.
During the last decade, audio system from greater than 36 nations have participated, discussing subjects throughout the espresso provide chain. This version will embody fewer speaker slots to permit for extra centered, detailed discussions. Confirmed audio system and subjects to date embody:
- High quality vs Novelty: Integrating Custom and Innovation in Specialty Espresso (Dakota Graff, Onyx Espresso Lab, US)
- Soil Chromatography: A Sensible Instrument for Natural and Regenerative Transition (Tulio Lozano, Hay Campo Para Todos, Colombia)
- Past the Cup Rating: Shifting Values of Well being-Acutely aware Patrons and Trade Alternatives (Ildi Revi, Purity Espresso, US)
- Surviving EUDR: Turning New Deforestation Laws right into a Aggressive Benefit (Mireya Levi, CLAC, Ecuador)
- Knowledge-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 International Espresso Awards: Requirements, Course of, and Affect (Martin Suard, L’Arbre à Café, France)
- The Decaf Growth: Seize the Untapped 15% of the Market (Ezri Herrera, Swiss Water, Honduras)
- Resilience in a Risky Market: Operational Methods for Progress When Assets 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 Be taught from Craft Beer: Forecasting Traits & 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: Knowledge-Pushed Insights for Producers & Roasters (Nick Spilger, SIIP, US)
Extra audio system shall 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 house is devoted to facilitating face-to-face conversations by a fast, structured speed-networking format. Algrano may even supply provide chain experience, logistical assist, key monetary data, and stay translations.
“We’re tremendous excited to sponsor the Matchmaking space at PRF El Salvador,” says Luiza Pereira, the Producer Engagement Supervisor at Algrano. “This house represents our core purpose 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 additionally 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, happening 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, and so they deserve recognition and assist for these efforts.”
Previous scholarship recipients could have the chance to satisfy with exporters, model founders, patrons, and mentors to make sure Seed initiatives develop with steady assist and steerage. There may even be a public Seed Join panel session, adopted by a networking house the place attendees can meet previous winners, ask questions, and talk about collaboration.
What else is occurring at PRF El Salvador?
There shall be an exhibition space the place attendees can community with main Latin American and worldwide corporations and organisations. These embody producers, exporters, importers, roasters, espresso store house owners, and extra.
Producer Companions Swiss Water, a decaf processing firm, and Catholic Reduction Providers, a global humanitarian company, may even 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 even host interactive, in-depth masterclasses on subjects resembling farmgate costs and the way chilly brew can drive differentiation and consistency. These periods are open to all attendees and designed to create sensible studying alternatives.
Like different PRF occasions, the 2026 discussion board will embody workshops and cuppings, showcasing a few of Latin America’s finest producers and merchants and highlighting the area’s espresso range. There may even 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 considered one of PRF’s most participating occasions but.
Worldwide tickets and Sourcing Journey Expertise tickets are that can be purchased right here.
You’ll be able to keep updated with all bulletins for PRF right here or by subscribing to the publication right here.
Photograph credit: Producer & Roaster Discussion board
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