The Women of Capira Panama are Being Embraced by New Markets for Traditional Coffee

Extra-fine, roasted in a pan, and grown without chemicals. This is the lowland coffee with which three women from Santa Rosa de Capira are conquering new markets. What began as a family tradition has become the economic engine of their households and a benchmark for artisanal production in the region.  Deisi Velásquez is the producer of Café Deisivel. “Deisivel is an acronym of my name. It represents me because it reflects who I am: a hard-working woman who every day puts on her boots and takes up the hoe and rake to go out into the fields to take care of her coffee plants,” says Deisi.  María Soto and Julia Soto also gave their products a distinct identity by creating their own brands.

María named her coffee after herself, while Julia markets it under the brand “Don Bastides.”  For them, giving their coffee a name is the first step towards thinking big and expanding their businesses into new markets. These women speak of their product with pride and show the packages they are already selling in their communities.  Each half pound is sold for $3.50, an affordable price that has allowed them to gain customers and generate income for their households.  As members of the Territorial Networks of the Ministry of Social Development (Mides), a program that promotes more than 1,000 sustainable businesses throughout the country through training, support and the delivery of seed capital, they have gained access to new marketing spaces. 

As part of that support, the three coffee growers recently participated in the Expo Café MIPYME 2026, where they displayed their brands and established contacts with potential clients. The producers shared with renowned coffee growers from across the country.  “If I was excited before, now I’m even more so. Seeing my coffee at this fair and having a customer buy it filled me with joy; I am happy with everything we are achieving. We’re taking it step by step, but we’re confident that we’ll position our products,” María emphasized.  The support provided by the project has also opened doors to new marketing opportunities, such as their participation in the Expo Café MIPYME 2026, where they presented their brands, established contact with potential buyers, and marketed the coffee they produce with care.