THAIFEX HOREC Asia to host inaugural ASEAN Coffee Roasting Championship March 2026

THAIFEX – HOREC Asia will stage the first ASEAN Coffee Roasting Championship during its 11–13 March 2026 show at IMPACT Muang Thong Thani in Bangkok. The event joins THAIFEX’s special programme in Challenger Hall 1 and 2 and aims to put live roasting, flavour development and roasting technique in the spotlight for HoReCa buyers, roasters and coffee fans.

The ASEAN Coffee Federation announced the event using the name ASEAN Coffee Roasting Championship or ACRC 2026. “The ASEAN Coffee Federation (ACF) proudly announces the ASEAN Coffee Roasting Championship (ACRC) 2026, the federation’s inaugural regional roasting competition designed to unite Southeast Asia’s coffee community on one platform.” ACF says the Bangkok edition “is the inaugural ASEAN Coffee Roasting Championship and serves as the international final.” The championship will run two categories: Professional (Team) and Home. “ACRC 2026 features two categories, Professional (Team) and Home, welcoming seasoned roasters, passionate enthusiasts, and emerging talents to showcase their craft, creativity, and interpretation of ASEAN coffee.”

Organisers position the contest as a live-roasting test of technique and taste. “The ASEAN Coffee Roasting Championship, organised by the ASEAN Coffee Federation, brings together regional roasters to compete under live conditions, testing precision, consistency and flavour development.” ACF says both categories will be judged under the ACF Coffee Appreciation Protocol or ACAP. “Both championships will be conducted in accordance with the ACF Coffee Appreciation Protocol (ACAP), ensuring transparency, consistency, and shared appreciation standards across the ASEAN coffee community.” ACF attributes ACAP’s development to the ASEAN Coffee Institute.

Press material for the show places the roasting championship inside a larger hospitality and operations trade context. “THAIFEX – HOREC Asia 2026 returns for its third edition from 11 – 13 March 2026 at IMPACT, Muang Thong Thani,” and the organisers say the show “is set to gather over 600 brands from 25+ countries/regions.” Confirmed exhibitors named on event listings include Lavazza, Hoshizaki, UNOX, Welbilt, Ecolab, Rational, Kimberly-Clark and FRANKE, plus Thai operators GO Wholesale, CP Retailink and AROMA, and furniture brands Deesawat and Pasaya.

Two specific discrepancies require clarification before competitors lock in plans. ACF’s registration notice lists competitor sign-up from 6 January to 6 February 2026, while THAIFEX and other listings show registration open through 15 February 2026. PR Newswire also references a Coffee Appreciation Protocol by the Thailand Coffee Association, which differs from ACF’s attribution of ACAP to the ASEAN Coffee Institute. Verify the official registration deadline and the definitive ACAP authorship with ACF and THAIFEX before registering or planning coverage.

For roasters and trade visitors the takeaway is clear: the championship turns the heat up on regional roasting skills, offers a public platform for home roasters as well as team-based professional entries, and ties competition outcomes to wider HoReCa buyers and equipment suppliers at THAIFEX. Expect the event to shape future national selection processes, networking opportunities and standards alignment across ASEAN as the federation and organisers finalise rules, judges and prize details.