Introduction
Costa Rica is renowned for its pioneering role in specialty coffee. With fertile volcanic soils, high altitudes, and a diverse range of microclimates, it produces coffees with remarkable clarity, complexity, and balance. What makes Costa Rica distinctive is not only its terroir but also its spirit of innovation. The country was one of the first to prohibit the cultivation of Robusta, ensuring a national focus on high-quality Arabica. In recent decades, Costa Rican farmers have embraced micro-mills and experimental processing, placing traceability and uniqueness at the heart of their production. This willingness to innovate, alongside a strong institutional framework and cooperative culture, has positioned Costa Rica as a leader in sustainability and specialty differentiation.
For Apex Coffee Imports, Costa Rica represents the intersection of heritage and forward-thinking coffee culture. It is a place where centuries-old traditions are continually reimagined through new processing methods, distinctive varieties, and a national commitment to quality.
Harvesting and processing
Costa Rica’s harvest follows the rhythm of its tropical climate. Flowering begins with the rains in March–April, cherries develop through the wet season (May–October), and ripening occurs with the arrival of the dry months (November–March). The main harvest spans November to March, peaking in December–January. Handpicking ensures only ripe cherries are selected, often requiring multiple passes through the same trees.
Processing is carried out at cooperatives, estates, or increasingly at farm-level micro-mills (micro-beneficios). Washed coffees remain common, but honey and natural processes have become hallmarks of Costa Rican innovation. Post-harvest, beans rest until spring, with pre-shipment samples typically sent between March and May. Most shipments arrive in Canada in early summer, ensuring fresh coffees for roasters’ seasonal menus.
History of Specialty Coffee in Costa Rica
Coffee has been woven into Costa Rica’s cultural and economic fabric since the late 18th century. Introduced around 1779, it flourished in the Central Valley’s fertile soils and temperate climate. By 1820, the country exported its first shipment, and soon after, the government actively encouraged coffee planting through land grants. Coffee quickly became known as Costa Rica’s “grain of gold”, fueling infrastructure projects such as railways, schools, and ports.
Unlike many Latin American countries dominated by large estates, Costa Rica’s sector developed largely around medium-sized family farms. This broader land distribution encouraged community-based development, though mill owners and exporters (beneficiadores) often concentrated political and economic power. The creation of ICAFE (Instituto del Café de Costa Rica) in 1933 was transformative. This government-backed institution set quality standards, regulated exports, and guaranteed growers a share of export revenues, ensuring fairness and stability in the industry. Cooperatives also grew during the 20th century, strengthening smallholders’ access to mills, markets, and technical knowledge.
From the late 20th century, Costa Rica pivoted from volume to quality. The country banned Robusta and focused exclusively on Arabica, with increasing emphasis on traceability and differentiation. The early 2000s brought the “micro-mill revolution", allowing farmers to process their own coffee and market single-farm lots. Innovations such as honey and natural processing became synonymous with Costa Rican coffee, appealing to specialty roasters worldwide.
Today, Costa Rica is celebrated for both tradition and innovation. While coffee’s role in national exports has declined due to tourism and technology, it remains a cornerstone of identity. Producers continue to explore new varieties, fermentation methods, and sustainability practices, ensuring the country stays at the forefront of specialty coffee.
Challenges
Costa Rican coffee producers face both long-standing and emerging challenges. Rising production costs (land, labour, and inputs) make farming increasingly expensive compared to neighboring countries. Younger generations often seek work in tourism or technology, leading to concerns about generational succession in coffee.
Climate change also poses significant risks. Erratic rainfall, rising temperatures, and new disease pressures (such as leaf rust) threaten yields and quality. Heavy rains during critical stages of cherry development can reduce harvest volumes, while prolonged dry spells increase plant stress. Producers are responding with adaptive agronomy, resistant varieties, and shade management, but these solutions require investment and knowledge-sharing.
Market pressures also shape the landscape. As Costa Rica has committed to high-quality Arabica only, it cannot compete on volume. Instead, the focus remains on differentiation, innovation, and sustainability certifications. While this strengthens its global brand, it requires continuous effort from producers to innovate and maintain competitiveness in an evolving specialty market.
Why Apex Coffee Imports Works in Costa Rica
Apex began working in Costa Rica in 2018, drawn by its unique combination of heritage and innovation. At that time, the rise of micro-mills and experimental processing was transforming the landscape. Producers were gaining control of their coffees from seed to export, resulting in remarkable diversity in cup profiles, from the sparkling clarity of washed lots to the fruit-driven complexity of honeys and naturals.
For us, Costa Rica offered the opportunity to diversify our portfolio and share with Canadian roasters coffees that reflected both tradition and experimentation. Our work here has always been rooted in direct relationships, visiting farms, cupping alongside producers, and building transparent partnerships. This approach allows us to source microlots and regional selections that embody the uniqueness of Costa Rican terroirs.
We continue to invest in Costa Rica because of its spirit of continuous improvement. Producers here are leaders in processing innovation, agronomy, and sustainability, and they share our values of traceability and long-term collaboration. Costa Rica is not only a source of exceptional coffees: it is a partner origin where innovation and tradition meet, and where Apex can play a role in connecting roasters with remarkable coffees and the people who craft them.
Our Supply Partners
Our supply chain in Costa Rica is built on strong partnerships with producers, exporters, and innovators who shape the specialty landscape.
We work closely with farms such as Volcán Azul, led by Alejo Castro Kahle, where generations of dedication meet cutting-edge agronomy. From managing shade and soil health to experimenting with over 40 varieties, Alejo exemplifies Costa Rica’s balance of tradition and innovation. His farm also works with global research initiatives like POMA, which explore climate resilience and sustainable farming methods.
We also collaborate with Exclusive Coffees, founded by Francisco Mena, a pioneer of Costa Rica’s “micro-mill revolution”. Francisco and his team represent over 90 micro-mills across the country, offering market access, quality control, and education. Exclusive Coffees has been instrumental in empowering smallholder farmers to process and market their own lots, enhancing traceability and quality. Through this partnership, we can connect Canadian roasters with a wide range of producers, each with their own story, terroir, and processing approach. Among these producers are innovators like Allan Oviedo of Don Joel micro-mill, who transformed his family’s livelihood by processing his own coffees, and the Monge brothers of La Lia micro-mill, who have invested in exotic varieties and processing experimentation in Tarrazú. Their stories illustrate how Costa Rican producers have embraced independence, creativity, and quality-driven farming.
By building relationships with both pioneering exporters and forward-thinking producers, our supply chain ensures diversity, traceability, and integrity. Every lot we source reflects a shared commitment: to push Costa Rican coffee forward while honoring the deep traditions that shaped it.
Key Coffee Growing Regions
Costa Rica’s coffee-growing landscape is shaped by altitude, volcanic soils, and distinct microclimates. We source from several key regions, each offering unique profiles.
Tarrazú
Perhaps the most famous region, known for high elevations (1,200–1,900 masl) and structured, citrus-driven cups with bright acidity and layered complexity.
Central Valley
The historical heart of Costa Rican coffee, with balanced profiles showcasing chocolate, red fruits, and round body. Fertile volcanic soils and moderate altitudes create consistency and quality.
West Valley
A dynamic region with diverse microclimates, producing both classic clean washed coffees and innovative naturals. Farms like Volcán Azul showcase its potential.
By sourcing across these diverse regions, Apex connects roasters to the full spectrum of Costa Rican terroir. From classic washed profiles to experimental micro-lots, Costa Rica continues to inspire with coffees that balance heritage, innovation, and a deep respect for quality.
