Key takeaways
- The eleventh version of Producer & Roaster Discussion board (PRF) happened on 26 & 27 March 2026 on the Hilton Lodge in San Salvador, El Salvador.
- The occasion coincided with the 2025 World Espresso Awards World Championship, leading to PRF’s largest roaster attendance so far.
- PRF El Salvador hosted 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.
Producer & Roaster Discussion board (PRF) has hosted occasions in coffee-producing international locations for over ten years, facilitating long-term connections between producers and roasters from all over the world.
The latest version happened on 26 & 27 March 2026 on the Hilton Lodge in San Salvador, El Salvador. It coincided with the 2025 World Espresso Awards World Championship, the place Lithuania’s Huracán Espresso received Gold, marking PRF’s largest and most impactful occasion so far.
Along with the PRF Voices programme, which featured lectures from main business figures, PRF El Salvador hosted panels, workshops, cuppings, and Brew Bars.
It additionally included 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.
Learn on to seek out out extra about what occurred on the two-day discussion board.
Study extra about PRF right here.
PRF celebrates one other 12 months of success
For 11 years, PRF has been a number one occasion within the world espresso sector. Every two-day discussion board brings worldwide business professionals and specialists collectively in a significant coffee-producing nation. Brazil, Colombia, Honduras, El Salvador, and Guatemala have hosted earlier editions.
The discussion board serves as a platform for hundreds of producers, roasters, exporters, importers, and baristas to community, construct long-term relationships, talk about the business’s most urgent matters, and suggest options to present challenges within the world espresso sector.
“The primary-ever version happened in a mill in El Salvador, so it appears like we’ve got come full circle this 12 months,” says Andrea Mela-Leon, the COO of PRF. “12 months after 12 months, PRF continues to develop, and we noticed the best attendance on document at this occasion.”
Greater than 4,116 individuals attended the discussion board, together with 1,146 producers, providing roasters a chance to attach with and be taught from farmers firsthand. Greater than 372 inexperienced espresso consumers and roasters from the US, the UK, Greece, Georgia, Bulgaria, Austria, Belgium, Guatemala, Lithuania, Canada, Spain, France, Nicaragua, Colombia, Australia, Poland, Costa Rica, Italy, Brazil, Kenya, Eire, Switzerland, and Romania had been in attendance, making it one of many espresso business’s most world occasions.
A few of these roasters included the US’ Onyx Espresso Lab, Vital Mass Espresso, Lofty Espresso, Lengthy Story Espresso, Verve Espresso, Mill Cross Espresso, and Utopian Espresso. The UK’s Tree Artisan Espresso and Australia’s Ocean Grind additionally attended, in addition to Colombia’s Casa Landino, Poland’s Audun Espresso, Lithuania’s Vero Espresso Home, Greece’s Kafea Terra, Colombia’s Café Cultor, and El Salvador’s Academia Barista Professional.
A complete of 189 volunteers additionally supported the occasion, with 386 Becado scholarship recipients in attendance.
Why PRF issues
“What retains bringing me again to PRF is its deep connection to the espresso business,” says Erik Busch, the proprietor of LongStory Espresso in Illinois, US, who was additionally a speaker at PRF El Salvador. “Once I first went, it was to hitch the Sourcing Journey Expertise and go to my first espresso farm. However yearly, it has grown deeper than that.
“PRF not solely permits me to attach with producers that we now have direct commerce partnerships with, nevertheless it lets me join with the business as an entire. The convention talks and masterclasses have helped me achieve extra perception into the business as a roaster and to know what is occurring with producers.
“Additionally, the connection I get to make with fellow roasters is invaluable. Studying how their companies function all around the world, and in their very own particular methods, helps my enterprise develop its creativity,” he provides. “The friendships I’ve made with the roasters have additionally given me a shoulder to lean on, permitting me to ask others within the business questions and for them to do the identical.”
PRF continues to develop
With market volatility persevering with to outline the espresso business, roasters are looking for extra management over their provide chains and nearer ties with producers. In flip, occasions like PRF have grown in prominence.
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 had been 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. “As long-standing supporters of the worldwide espresso group, partnering with PRF at this degree displays our continued dedication to producers, roasters, and the relationships that energy the espresso provide chain.
“We’re dedicated to supporting an occasion that prioritises transparency, collaboration, and significant connections, and we stay up for being a part of the conversations that matter most within the years forward.”
As a part of the partnership, PRF launched MTPak Scholarships, enabling producers from El Salvador and different producing international locations to attend the discussion board for free of charge.
PRF El Salvador is predicted to generate US$15.7m in inexperienced espresso gross sales, supporting certainly one of Latin America’s main espresso origins. This has by no means been extra necessary; in accordance with the newest USDA report, El Salvador’s espresso sector continues to battle with labour shortages and excessive enter prices.
OBIIS (One Large Island in House), a farm-direct mannequin that buys espresso from producers, is a PRF Gold Sponsor and a long-time companion. OBIIS screened the La Fortaleza documentary throughout PRF El Salvador, spotlighting the success and challenges of Mexican espresso producers.
Supporting Salvadoran espresso
The Instituto Salvadoreño del Café (ISC), El Salvador’s nationwide espresso affiliation, was the Host Nation Accomplice. Globally recognised for varieties akin to Bourbon, Pacas, Cuacatleco, and Pacamara, Salvadoran espresso stands out not just for its sensory profiles but additionally for its sustainable shade-grown manufacturing mannequin.
Practical specialty espresso model Purity Espresso is a long-term companion and the PRF Bronze Sponsor. The corporate was additionally a Producer Accomplice and sponsored smallholder producers’ attendance on the occasion.
Producer Companions Swiss Water, a decaf processing firm; Catholic Reduction Companies, a world humanitarian company; and Greek roaster TAF Espresso additionally supplied free entry to smallholder producers.
Volunteer Sponsor and specialty espresso importer Copan Commerce hosted a cupping session and unique networking actions for volunteers.
“The highlights of PRF this 12 months for me had been the return of Belco’s Soil of Excellence, the addition of the GCA ceremony, and the convention talks,” Erik says. “Belco has an especially distinctive manner of taking a look at espresso high quality by the Soil of Excellence, which works deeper than simply the flavour within the cup.
“The GCA ceremony was nice to see, and it introduced top-class roasters from all over the world to PRF. Due to this, I used to be capable of community and join with them,” he provides. “Lastly, the convention talks are all the time nice, as I try by no means to settle and to continue learning, and PRF permits me to do this.”
Competitions at PRF El Salvador
PRF El Salvador hosted 5 modern competitions: the fifth World Roasting Contest, the seventh Chilly Brew Espresso Championship, the second Soil of Excellence competitors (together with two editions for espresso and cacao), and the second World Cupping Championship.
The fifth World Roasting Contest was sponsored by Cropster. The Gear Accomplice was Nucleus Espresso Instruments, and the Inexperienced Espresso Companions had been COAUSOLES and Café Don Justo.
Opponents had been required to roast and mix specialty coffees, with winners chosen by knowledgeable judging. Gerardo Avila was the winner, with Austin Demeter putting second, and Edna Santos and Scott Gilbert tying in third place.
The seventh Chilly Brew Espresso Championship, sponsored by Toddy, was held on the occasion. Members needed to put together two distinctive cold-brew-based drinks utilizing a espresso of their alternative, together with a designer drink. Byron Meléndez positioned first, Melissa Rodríguez got here second, and former Chilly Brew Espresso Champion Julián Trejos positioned third.
Modern espresso championships
The second Soil of Excellence competitors additionally happened, break up into two editions. Sponsored by Belco, the Soil of Excellence espresso competitors highlights the significance of soil well being and regenerative agriculture in producing high-quality espresso. The Soil of Excellence cacao version, sponsored by Nahù, highlights the identical achievements in rising tremendous cacao.
The winner of the Soil of Excellence Espresso was María Milagro Centeno of Finca Las Marías. Francisco Rafael Meza of Finca Santa Lina positioned second, whereas Maria Elena de Botto of Finca San Juan positioned third.
Cyrille Beraud of Finca La Catarina received the Soil of Excellence Cacao. Luis Barrientos of Finca Comalapa positioned second, and Elmer of Finca Copinol Escondido positioned third.
PRF El Salvador additionally hosted the second World Cupping Championship, sponsored by World Espresso Awards, and Behmor was the Gear Accomplice. Opponents needed to consider aroma, flavour, acidity, physique, and stability with precision, with Pedro Turcios introduced because the winner.
As a part of its Diamond Sponsorship, MTPak Espresso launched the World’s Biggest Espresso Packaging (WGCP) competitors. Ember Items of Washington, US, was introduced the winner, chosen for its distinctive espresso containers with matchbox striker strips. Its packaging was featured entrance and centre on a big mural, and different finalists and honourable mentions had been on show throughout the occasion.
The 2025 World Espresso Awards World Championship
The World Espresso Awards (GCA) World Championship happened from 20 to 23 March 2026 forward of PRF El Salvador.
All through 2025, the GCA hosted competitions within the US & Canada, Europe, and Origin Roasted (any coffee-producing nation) to recognise the perfect roasters in these areas and the producers behind their coffees.
Greater than 2,000 samples had been submitted by roasters from over 125 international locations, culminating in one of the vital dynamic competitions within the espresso business. The highest 30 roasters from 16 totally different international locations had been solely invited to the World Championship, the place they competed for worldwide recognition and the title of World’s Greatest Roaster.
“The extent of dedication and dedication proven by these roasters and producers was unbelievable,” says Andrea. “It was an honour to carry all of them collectively for one night time to have fun their achievements.”
On the night of 26 March, the GCA Awards Ceremony and Annual Dinner happened on the Hilton Lodge in San Salvador. Throughout this prestigious celebration, all profitable roasters from the three regional competitions, the producers behind every profitable espresso, and the newly topped World Champions had been formally introduced, recognised, and awarded trophies.
The highest three winners had been Lithuania’s Huracán Espresso (Gold), Greece’s KAFEA Terra (Silver), and Colombia’s Café Cultor (Bronze).
World Espresso Awards 2026
This 12 months, the GCA will develop into the Center East and North Africa (MENA), Asia, Africa, and Latin America to construct on its explosive progress. Given the present battle within the Center East, the MENA, Africa, and Asia editions will now happen within the US. The complete 2026 GCA schedule consists of:
- MENA (Center East and North Africa): 15 June 2026. Judging will happen at Balzac Brothers in Charleston, South Carolina, US
- Africa (excluding MENA international locations): 16 June 2026 at Balzac Brothers
- Asia (excluding MENA international locations): 17 June 2026 at Balzac Brothers
- US & Canada: 10 August 2026. Judging will happen at Copan Commerce in Houston, Texas, US
- Latin America: 12 August 2026 at Copan Commerce
- Europe: 12 October 2026. Judging will happen at Belco in Bordeaux, France
All coffees submitted for the GCA MENA, Asia, and Africa editions have to be acquired by 1 June 2026. The entry kits, which embody judging varieties, can be found beneath:
The profitable regional roasters will probably be solely invited to compete within the 2026 GCA World Championships, to be held at PRF 2027, with a location to be confirmed within the coming months. It will embody the GCA Awards Ceremony and Annual Dinner, giving roasters and producers the chance to community with business leaders and specialists.
What else occurred on the occasion?
The Producer-Roaster Matchmaking programme, sponsored by Algrano, returned 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 additionally provided provide chain experience, logistical help, key monetary info, and dwell translations to help producers and roasters.
Seed Join was a brand new initiative that related previous Seed winners with key decision-makers throughout the espresso business. “PRF strives to open new doorways and create extra alternatives for people who find themselves positively impacting their communities and the broader espresso business,” Andrea says. “These entrepreneurs deserve recognition and help for his or her efforts, that are wanted greater than ever.”
Previous scholarship recipients had the chance to fulfill with exporters, CEOs, consumers, and mentors to make sure Seed initiatives develop with help and steering. There was additionally a public Seed Join panel session, adopted by a networking house the place attendees may meet previous winners, ask questions, and talk about potential collaborations.
PRF Voices
Like different PRF occasions, the eleventh version featured a tailor-made PRF Voices programme that included a few of the business’s foremost figures and specialists. This 12 months, lectures and panels centered on quite a few matters, akin to:
- High quality vs Novelty: Integrating Custom and Innovation in Specialty Espresso (Dakota Graff, Onyx Espresso Lab, US)
- Soil Chromatography: A Sensible Device for Natural and Regenerative Transition (Tulio Lozano, Hay Campo Para Todos, Colombia)
- 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 World Espresso Awards: Requirements, Course of, and Affect (Martin Suard, L’Arbre à Café, France)
The occasion additionally included masterclasses led by OBIIS and Toddy, in addition to workshops and cuppings, showcasing a few of Latin America’s greatest producers and merchants and highlighting the area’s espresso range.
Brew bars
There was additionally an Espresso Bar, sponsored by Tecnochef; a Brew Bar, sponsored by World Espresso Awards, with tools supplied by Behmor; and a Chilly Brew Bar, sponsored by Toddy, the place attendees may attempt distinctive coffees and producers may join with potential consumers.
Lastly, the Sourcing Journey Expertise (STE), sponsored by STE Hosts Mav Espresso, COAUSOLES, and Don Justo, included roasters akin to Candy Bloom Espresso, Utopian Espresso, Lofty Espresso Roasters, Tree Artisan Espresso Home, Kaffea Terra, Vero Espresso Home, Mill Cross Espresso, Vital Mass Espresso, and lots of extra.
PRF El Salvador signifies over a decade of pioneering espresso occasions at origin, bringing producers and roasters collectively to forge long-lasting working relationships.
“Wanting forward, we’ll proceed to maintain constructing on our success,” says Andrea. “Roasters and producers from all over the world show how helpful this platform is, returning yearly to take care of significant partnerships.”
The situation and dates for the following two-day PRF discussion board will probably be introduced within the coming weeks.
You possibly can keep updated with all bulletins for PRF right here or by subscribing to the publication right here.
Photograph credit: Producer & Roaster Discussion board
Excellent Every day Grind
Wish to learn extra articles like this? Join our publication!
