There are three farms in Central America who auction online varieties of coffee such as geisha, mocha and yellow catuai, in small batches of about 300 pounds.
Two of the farms are in Guatemala and one in Panama. They use this system of auction specialty coffee production, taking advantage of the emergence of "micro-roasters", who buy in small batches, of no more than 10 bags, coffee that is “different, exceptional", after searching through the Internet, and who pay prices above normal international prices.
After obtaining first place in "Best of Panama 2009," Hacienda La Esmeralda will conduct an Internet auction of its Geisha coffee variety.
International buyers from the US, Europe, Japan, North Korea, Taiwan, Australia, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Czech Republic and England will participate in the online auction which will be held today, May 19."