What is a micro-mill in coffee production?

A micro-mill is a small-scale, farm-level processing facility that allows a producer to handle their own coffee independently rather than delivering cherry to a centralised cooperative or commercial wet mill. With a pulper, fermentation tanks, and drying infrastructure on-farm, every processing decision is made at source.

Costa Rica is where the micro-mill model became most prominent. From the mid-2000s, an increasing number of small family farms invested in their own processing equipment, creating the micro-mill revolution that gave international specialty buyers direct access to farm-specific lots with full processing traceability.

The trade-off is investment and technical knowledge. A micro-mill requires capital, skill, and sufficient volume to justify the infrastructure. But for producers committed to quality, the control it provides - and the ability to build a direct commercial identity - is often worth it. The best micro-mill producers are among the most sought-after names in specialty coffee.