Exclusive Coffees: Connecting Micro-Mills to the World.

About the Supplier

Founded by Francisco Mena, Exclusive Coffees was built on a deep, hands-on understanding of the coffee supply chain. The company supports producers in gaining greater control over processing and commercialization. This approach has contributed to elevating both the quality and global recognition of Costa Rican coffees.

Country

Costa Rica

Partnership

Since 2023

Key Growing Regions

Tarrazú
1,200 to 1,900 masl
Central Valley
800-1,500 masl
West Valley
1,200-1,700 masl

Producers

Allan Oviedo
Oscar and Luis Monge
Carole Zbinden

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Introduction

Founded in 2008 by Francisco Mena, Exclusive Coffees has played a key role in shaping Costa Rica’s specialty coffee landscape and advancing the micro-mill model. Starting his career by collecting green coffee samples by bicycle, Francisco built a deep, hands-on understanding of the industry across the entire supply chain. This experience led him to create a focused export company dedicated to connecting Costa Rican micro-mills with specialty roasters worldwide.

How It Started

Driven by a vision to give producers greater control and recognition, Francisco became an active contributor to Costa Rica’s “micro-mill revolution.” By supporting smallholders in processing and marketing their own coffees, he helped unlock higher quality potential, improved traceability, and stronger economic returns at origin.

Their Approach and Philosophy

Exclusive Coffees represents over 90 micro-mills, offering milling, quality control, education, and market access. The company fosters direct relationships between Costa Rican coffee producers, including smallholders, estates, and micro-mills, and roasters and importers worldwide, consolidating and exporting coffee while providing critical quality control and technical support.

The Producers They Represent

Exclusive Coffees works with a diverse network of producers, including micro-mills such as Don Joel and La Lía, each rooted in strong family traditions and long-term commitment to quality. Allan Oviedo, a second-generation grower, transitioned from selling cherries at low prices to building his own micromill, “Don Joel,” after years of reinvestment and dedication, now operating it alongside his son Ignacio with a focus on precision and excellence. Similarly, the Monge Ureña brothers of La Lía transformed their long-standing family farm in Tarrazú by establishing their own micromill in 2008, gaining greater control over production and value. Across these partnerships, a shared emphasis on continuous improvement, experimentation with varieties, and investment in quality has led to increased recognition and stronger positioning within the specialty coffee market.