The micro mill revolution - A field study investigating the economic and social impacts for coffee producers when implementing a micro production strategy

Abstract

This field study examines the economic and social opportunities and challenges brought to coffee producers when implementing a new form of coffee production strategy to their farms, called micro milling. Different stakeholders of the Costa Rican coffee business were interviewed to conduct this study, in total 18 interviews. The main purpose was to investigate whether micro milling could be one way to achieve economic and social sustainability for the producers, on a local level. The results present an improved situation both economically and socially for the producers and their families. The analysis that follows discusses why micro milling could be seen as a socially and economically sustainable way to produce coffee, even though conflicts surface, especially in the community.