(KPL) The Specialty Coffee Association's "World of Coffee" (WOC) exhibition is an annual event that gathers coffee industry professionals from around the world.

This highly anticipated event provides a platform for producers, traders, importers, roasters, retailers, and coffee enthusiasts to connect, learn, and showcase their products.

In 2023, WOC is taking place from Jun 22-24 in Athens, Greece. It presents a unique opportunity for Lao coffee producers to gain exposure in the European market.

Lao coffee has been gaining recognition as a specialty coffee origin in recent years. The unique geographical conditions and traditional farming practices in the Lao PDR contribute to the production of high-quality coffee beans with distinct flavors and profiles.

WOC Athens provides Lao coffee producers with a platform to showcase their specialty coffee to a diverse audience of industry professionals and coffee enthusiasts.

Lao Coffee Companies Attending the World of Coffee Athens 2023

Five prominent Lao coffee companies will be attending WOC exhibition in Athens: Comma Coffee, Meuang Xieng Coffee, Nambeng Coffee Group, Phouphieng Paksong, and Vanmai Coffee.

These companies were selected to participate based on their involvement in the Lao Annual Green Coffee Competition, which took place earlier in March 2023. The ARISE Plus, the UK Trade Partnerships and Winrock CLEAN projects are collaborating to support their participation in the exhibition to promote the Lao coffee industry as a whole and the individual businesses exhibiting.

Showcasing Lao Specialty Coffee

WOC is Europe's biggest coffee event. It provides Lao coffee companies with a unique opportunity to showcase their specialty coffee to a diverse range of industry professionals and coffee enthusiasts from around the world. By participating in this event, Lao coffee producers can gain valuable market exposure and insights into the European specialty coffee industry.

Building Connections with Buyers and Importers

WOC Athens 2023 will host over 300 exhibitors and attract more than 10,000 attendees from across 80 nations worldwide.

The key benefit of partaking in this exhibition is the chance to engage with potential buyers and importers, creating opportunities for Lao coffee producers to showcase their distinctive coffee offerings, narrate their stories, and promote the Lao PDR as a specialty coffee origin.

 “The Lao Coffee Association is delighted to reaffirm our partnership with the ARISE Plus, the UKTP and the CLEAN projects in a joint effort to bolster the Lao coffee industry. We are proud to participate in Europe's largest coffee trade show. This presents an unparalleled opportunity for Lao coffee producers to showcase their products and reach new markets. This collaboration is a testament to our unwavering commitment to expanding Lao coffee visibility and marketability. We hope to see the positive outcomes of this collaboration and remain steadfast in our resolve to fortify the Lao coffee sector,” said Sengchan Khammountha, Vice President of the Lao Coffee Association (LCA).

“The ITC Arise Plus and the UKTP projects are delighted to be with our partners, working with and supporting the Lao coffee industry and coffee businesses at the World of Coffee in Athens. Their continuous presence at this flagship event will enhance their credibility and trustworthiness in the eyes of the European coffee market and community,” said Nick Watson, Agribusiness Adviser, International Trade Centre.

“The USDA funded CLEAN Project implemented by Winrock International is delighted once again with partners to support our Lao coffee producers and Government officials to attend this year’s World of Coffee in Athens, Greece to promote the high-quality coffee from the Lao PDR. This is a wonderful opportunity for our participants to highlight their ecological approach to production and their processing practices to fit new market demands. I am glad to see today, the results of all partners support being linked in Athens to some of the largest buyers of coffee in Europe and beyond and wishing great success to all of our participants attending the event,” said Alex Dahan, Chief of Party, Winrock International in the Lao PDR.

Thanks to the international organizations that have generously supported Lao coffee producers to attend the WOC event in Athens. The EU-funded ASEAN Regional Integration Support from the EU (ARISE Plus Lao PDR) Project and the United Kingdom Trade Partnerships (UKTP Lao PDR) implemented by the International Trade Centre (ITC), and the USDA-funded Creating Linkages for Expanded Agricultural Networks (CLEAN) Project, implemented by Winrock International, have played a crucial role in making this dream a reality.

Their commitment and dedication to the Lao coffee industry have provided these producers with a unique opportunity to showcase their exceptional products on a global platform.

KPL