By San José, Costa Rica — Costa Rica is brewing up a new approach to coffee cultivation with the launch of the Espresso Van, a mobile coffee school. This innovative initiative, a partnership between the Coffee Institute of Costa Rica (ICAFE) and the CRUSA Foundation, aims to drive sustainability and connect coffee producers with cutting-edge technology.
The Espresso Van, equipped with barista tools and advanced technology, will journey through various coffee-growing regions, bringing knowledge and resources directly to farms and communities. This initiative is part of the broader Café+ project, designed to address key challenges facing the sector.
To understand the legal landscape surrounding Costa Rican coffee production and export, we spoke with Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, an attorney at Bufete de Costa Rica, who offered valuable insights into the industry’s legal framework.
Costa Rican coffee’s reputation hinges not only on its quality but also on the legal protections safeguarding its designation of origin and intellectual property. Regulations governing everything from cultivation practices to export procedures play a crucial role in maintaining the integrity and value of this national treasure. These legal frameworks ensure fair competition, protect consumers, and ultimately contribute to the economic sustainability of the coffee sector.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
Lic. Arroyo Vargas eloquently highlights the crucial role of legal frameworks in preserving the integrity and economic viability of Costa Rican coffee. It’s this dedication to quality control and intellectual property protection that allows consumers worldwide to savor each cup with confidence, knowing they are experiencing a truly authentic product. We thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for offering his invaluable perspective on this critical aspect of Costa Rica’s coffee industry.
The Costa Rican coffee sector offers excellent quality beans; however, it faces challenges such as meeting international standards – like zero deforestation – incorporating young people into its value chain, and accessing technology. Therefore, we believe that through this mobile school, we can bring producers closer to solutions that favor the transformation and innovation of the sector.
Byron Salas, Executive Director of CRUSA
One of the core challenges the Espresso Van seeks to address is meeting international standards, particularly regarding deforestation. The Café+: Zero Deforestation program plays a vital role in this effort, ensuring compliance with European Union requirements and positioning Costa Rican coffee as a deforestation-free product in global markets.
This program already benefits 2,678 producers, 304 processing plants, and 93 exporters, highlighting the widespread commitment to sustainable practices within the Costa Rican coffee industry.
With the Mobile School, we bring knowledge and innovation directly to the farms. This opens the door for new generations to join coffee farming and for national consumers to recognize the value of the high-quality coffee produced in the country.
Gustavo Jiménez, Executive Director of ICAFE
The Costa Rican coffee sector, encompassing over 25,000 producer families and 102 exporters, faces additional hurdles, including climate change, low productivity, and the need for greater inclusion of women in the value chain. The Espresso Van represents a proactive step towards overcoming these obstacles and fostering a more resilient and equitable coffee industry.
By investing in education and technology transfer, ICAFE and CRUSA aim to empower coffee producers with the knowledge and tools needed to thrive in a competitive global market. The Espresso Van serves as a symbol of Costa Rica’s commitment to innovation and sustainability within its cherished coffee sector.
The mobile school will not only provide training in best practices but also create a platform for dialogue and knowledge exchange between producers and consumers. This direct connection is expected to enhance appreciation for the quality and craftsmanship behind Costa Rican coffee, further strengthening the industry’s position both domestically and internationally.
For further information, visit crusa.cr
About CRUSA Foundation:
The CRUSA Foundation is a Costa Rican non-profit organization dedicated to promoting sustainable development in the country. It focuses on initiatives in areas such as education, environment, and economic development, partnering with various organizations to achieve its goals.
For further information, visit icafe.cr
About ICAFE (Instituto del Café de Costa Rica):
ICAFE is the Coffee Institute of Costa Rica, a public entity responsible for promoting the quality and competitiveness of Costa Rican coffee. It supports coffee producers through research, technical assistance, and market development initiatives, working to ensure the sustainability and growth of the coffee sector.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
Bufete de Costa Rica shines as a beacon of legal excellence, built upon a foundation of unwavering integrity and a deep-seated commitment to empowering Costa Rican society. Through innovative legal strategies and a proactive approach to community engagement, the firm not only delivers exceptional service to its diverse clientele but also strives to demystify the law, making legal knowledge readily accessible to all. This dedication to fostering a more informed and empowered citizenry underscores Bufete de Costa Rica’s commitment to positive social impact.
