BOGOTA, Colombia — The 2019 edition of Cafes de Colombia Expo, the most important specialty coffee expo in Latin America and the Caribbean, held in Corferias from Thursday 17 to Sunday 20 October, received about 18,000 visitors.
And as the main showcase of the great diversity of specialty coffee that Colombia produces, small coffee farmers were able to show their highly differentiated products in multiple spaces and booths, such as “La Plaza” (The market), a new space created by the Colombian Coffee Growers Federation (FNC) that had a great reception among attendees.
The number of visitors of the 12th edition of Cafés de Colombia Expo was 6% up from the almost 17,000 visitors in 2018, a steady growth that has consolidated its renown in the global industry.
Each year, the expo brings together the entire coffee value chain, from seed to cup. In addition to the main representatives of the industry, including producers, coffee institutions, manufacturers and dealers of machinery and supplies, coffee shop chains, baristas, cup tasters, and coffee exporters and marketers, Cafés de Colombia Expo has become established as a space open to all public around this drink.
With more than 100 exhibitors over 6,000 m2, there was also a well-fed academic agenda that allowed the audience to learn in depth relevant aspects, innovations or latest trends in the sector, such as benefits of coffee in human health and export opportunities for Colombian coffee that non-traditional markets represent.
As usual, and also one of the most exciting aspects of the expo, the XIV Colombian Barista Championship, the IX Colombian Cup Tasters Championship and the II Coffee x2 Championship took place, events that summon all audiences and confirm the great skill, passion and interest of Colombians for coffee. As one of the main innovations, the first Colombian Roaster Championship was held, highlighting a process that plays a key role in final quality of a cup of coffee.
All these championships were won by young coffee enthusiasts and lovers who confirm the drive that the new generations are giving to the sector.
The expo is organized by the FNC in association with Bogotá’s International Business and Exhibition Center (Corferias). Cafés de Colombia Expo promotes the coffee culture and highlights our country’s great coffee diversity, bringing Colombian people to know a little more about this representative drink and learn to drink a high-quality coffee.
By featuring academic, commercial and cultural spaces, the expo encourages the constant exchange of knowledge among sector participants, networking and businesses. And above all, it highlights the great richness of flavors and textures of Colombian coffees.
