Panama Geisha Coffee Sells for $604,080 at Auction – A Win for Boquete and High-End Real Estate
Panama’s world-renowned Geisha coffee has just made history again. Hacienda La Esmeralda, located in the highlands of Boquete, Chiriquí, sold a 20-kilogram lot of its award-winning Geisha Washed beans for an astounding $604,080—equivalent to $30,204 per kilogram—at the 2025 edition of the prestigious Best of Panama Auction. The buyer? Julith Coffee, a luxury coffee concept recently launched in Dubai.
The sale not only shattered last year’s record of $10,103/kg, but also reinforced Panama’s dominance in the ultra-premium coffee space. And it brings new visibility to Panama’s Tierras Altas region as a global center for excellence, not just in coffee, but in lifestyle and sustainable tourism.
A Historic Moment for Panamanian Coffee
Organized by the Specialty Coffee Association of Panama (SCAP), the Best of Panama Auction brings together top producers and elite buyers from around the world. This year, over 100 bidders from countries like Japan, South Korea, the U.S., Germany, and the United Arab Emirates joined the virtual event to compete for Panama’s finest beans.
A total of 50 coffee lots were auctioned, with 30 of them fetching more than $1,000 per kilogram—an extraordinary threshold in the world of specialty coffee. But it was Hacienda La Esmeralda’s Lot GW-01 that stole the spotlight.
The winning bid came from Julith Coffee, a premium new coffee roastery and brew lounge in Dubai’s Al Quoz district. Opened just days before the auction, Julith positions itself as a high-end, experience-driven coffee destination. It’s led by Serkan Sagsoz, a Turkish barista champion who oversees the roasting and curation of some of the most exclusive beans on the planet.
This sale immediately thrust Julith Coffee into the global spotlight and aligns the company’s brand with the highest standards in the specialty coffee world. It also cements Hacienda La Esmeralda’s place at the top of the international coffee scene.
Chiriquí’s Coffee Legacy and Global Appeal
“This is something Panama began nearly 30 years ago,” explained Ricardo Koyner, president of SCAP. “We weren’t known at the time—Panama’s annual production is small compared to countries like Brazil or Colombia. But we united to focus on quality, and now we’re on the map.”
Panama produces just 200,000 bags of coffee a year—a drop in the global market—but its commitment to quality, terroir, and innovation has made it a darling among collectors, connoisseurs, and investors.
The buzz around this year’s auction rippled far beyond coffee circles. In Panama City, SCAP members gathered to watch the auction unfold live on big screens from a local restaurant, highlighting how much pride and identity are tied to this achievement.
Read more: Panama’s Coffee Innovation: New “Aroma Fingerprint” to Boost Trust and Exports
What This Means for Real Estate in Boquete and Tierras Altas
This record-setting moment adds even more prestige to already sought-after highland areas like Boquete and Volcán, Cerro Punta & Tierras Altas. For real estate investors and expats:
-
Global Brand Recognition: Properties near award-winning farms like Hacienda La Esmeralda now benefit from global brand cachet. Buyers drawn by the coffee legacy may be more inclined to invest in nearby homes, boutique hotels, or farms.
-
Agrotourism and Boutique Development Potential: The growing interest in coffee tours and sustainable tourism opens the door for small-scale hospitality ventures or estate-style rentals in the region.
-
Lifestyle Appeal: These mountain communities continue to attract expats for their cool climate, vibrant food scene, and access to world-famous coffee. With renewed international attention, the lifestyle and property values here are likely to remain strong.
For buyers who value sustainability, traceability, and culture, investing in Boquete or Tierras Altas offers more than just a home—it offers a connection to a thriving, globally celebrated ecosystem.
Featured Coffee Farm for Sale: Coffee Estate with Modern Home & 360 Views on 14 plus Acres for Sale in Boquete, Chiriqui
Final Thoughts
Panama’s latest coffee triumph is more than just a headline. It’s a reminder of what’s possible when tradition, innovation, and quality intersect. For those eyeing investment opportunities or a new lifestyle in the highlands of Panama, now is the time to take notice.
At Casa Solution, we specialize in helping buyers find properties in the most desirable locations across Panama—including Boquete, Volcán, and other up-and-coming coffee belt areas. Let us help you find your place in Panama’s story of excellence.
Date: August 8, 2025
