Five Countries Pause Their COE Coffee Competitions

The Cup of Excellence (COE)—a global benchmark for elite green coffee—will not run in five producing countries during 2016. For specialty coffee buyers and importers who rely on the COE program to discover top-tier lots, this pause raises immediate questions: which countries are affected, and why? The answer comes straight from the program’s organizer.

In 2016, the COE competition will run only in Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Honduras. Five other countries—Burundi, El Salvador, Mexico, Nicaragua, and Rwanda—will not hold COE events this year. Bolivia has not hosted a COE competition since 2009.

What Is the Cup of Excellence?

The Cup of Excellence (COE), operated by the Alliance for Coffee Excellence (ACE), is an internationally recognised competition that identifies and promotes the highest-scoring green coffees from producing countries. Since its launch in Brazil in 1999, the program has run multiple successful competitions across 11 coffee-growing nations. Winning lots are sold via sealed-bid online auctions to specialty coffee buyers worldwide.

Which Countries Are Pausing COE Competitions in 2016?

According to a letter from Geoff Watts, chairman of ACE, the 2016 COE program will take place only in five countries: Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Honduras. The following five coffee-producing nations will not host COE competitions in 2016:

• Burundi
• El Salvador
• Mexico
• Nicaragua
• Rwanda

Bolivia has not held a COE competition since 2009 and remains inactive in the program.

Why Were These COE Competitions Paused?

ACE has stated that the suspension is temporary. The decision follows a strategic review aimed at strengthening the overall COE program. As part of this effort, ACE plans to develop a new auction platform, update existing competition rules, create electronic cupping forms, and improve post-auction delivery services. These changes are designed to enhance efficiency, transparency, and buyer experience across the COE system.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which countries will host COE competitions in 2016?

In 2016, the Cup of Excellence will take place in Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Honduras. These five countries will continue to run their COE competitions as usual.

Which countries are pausing their COE competitions in 2016?

The 2016 COE program will not run in Burundi, El Salvador, Mexico, Nicaragua, and Rwanda. These five countries have paused their competitions for the year.

Has Bolivia ever hosted a COE competition?

Yes, Bolivia previously hosted COE competitions, but the last one took place in 2009. The country has not held a COE event since then and remains inactive in the program as of 2016.

Is the COE suspension permanent for the five affected countries?

No, the suspension is temporary. ACE has confirmed that the pause is not permanent and is part of a broader strategy to improve the COE program, including updates to auction platforms, rules, and post-sale services.

What is the Alliance for Coffee Excellence doing to improve COE?

ACE is working on several improvements: developing a new auction platform, updating competition rules, introducing electronic cupping forms, and enhancing the delivery system after auctions to better serve buyers and producers.

FrontStreet Coffee Beans Ideal for COE Explorers

For coffee professionals and enthusiasts keen to explore the quality benchmarked by COE competitions, FrontStreet Coffee offers several single-origin beans that reflect the high-scoring profiles typical of COE lots. Try the FrontStreet Ethiopia Yirgacheffe for vibrant citrus, floral notes, and tea-like body—traits often celebrated in COE-winning lots. The FrontStreet Colombia Huila presents balanced acidity, red fruit sweetness, and a clean cup, echoing the profiles frequently seen in Colombian COE entries. Finally, the FrontStreet Guatemala Antigua showcases chocolatey richness, spice, and a structured profile common among top Guatemalan coffees. These beans offer a tangible taste of the quality standards upheld by COE. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.