Colombia’s Coffee Monopoly: What It Means for Micro Lots (and Your Daily Brew)

If you’ve ever tasted a Colombian micro lot coffee, you probably remember it.

Maybe it had vibrant citrus notes, a silky mouthfeel, or a sweet caramel finish that lingered a little longer than usual. Colombian coffees, especially micro lots, have earned a glowing reputation among specialty coffee lovers for good reason. They're nuanced, complex, and often produced with care on small farms passed down through generations.

But lately, something’s been brewing behind the scenes.

And it could change the way your favorite Colombian coffee reaches your cup.

What’s Going On With Colombia’s Micro Lot Market?

Colombia, long known as a powerhouse of high-quality Arabica coffee, is facing growing concern over monopolized control of micro lots, those small, standout harvests often produced by individual farmers or small co-ops.

Here’s the scoop: As the demand for specialty micro lots increases, a few major buyers and exporters are gaining more control over which lots are promoted, purchased, and shipped internationally. This creates what some are calling a "micro lot monopoly", where select middlemen decide which coffees are “worthy,” and who gets paid what.

It’s like gatekeeping, but with coffee and the people most affected are often smallholder farmers.

Why This Matters (More Than You Might Think)

Let me tell you a quick story.

Last year, we were cupping samples from a lesser-known region in Colombia called Tolima. One particular sample blew us away, think juicy peach, dark chocolate, and a floral aroma that almost made us stop mid-sip. It wasn’t from a famous farm. It wasn’t part of a big auction. It was from a small, family-run farm that had never exported a single bag on their own before.

We asked around to purchase it. The farmer told us a larger exporter had passed on their lot because “it wouldn’t fetch enough margin.” Not because of quality, just politics.

That’s when it hit us: incredible coffee is getting overlooked because of market control, not merit.

And that’s a problem.

Because when only a few companies get to decide which farmers are "micro-lot worthy," the diversity of Colombian coffee suffers. You, the drinker, lose out on hidden gems. And farmers who pour their heart into producing beautiful coffee are told it’s not good enough, not by the cup, but by the system.

What Win Win Coffee Is Doing Differently

At Win Win Coffee, we believe in looking beyond the obvious.

We’re not in this business to chase hype or follow big exporters' favorites. We're here to build real relationships with farmers, especially those flying under the radar. That means:

✅ Sourcing micro lots directly, whenever possible
✅ Paying premium prices that reflect the quality, not just the trend
✅ Giving smaller producers a voice, even if they’ve never had one on the global stage

When we partnered with a young grower named Julián from Nariño, it was his first time roasting a sample of his own coffee. He sent us voice notes with questions like, “Did the floral notes come through?” and “Do you think people will like this roast?”

We didn’t just like it, we featured it as our limited release last fall. And you all LOVED it. (Some of you emailed us asking if we could bring it back—don’t worry, we’re working on it.)

How You Can Support the Right Kind of Coffee

You don’t have to be a roaster or importer to make a difference. Here’s how you can help keep micro lot coffee real and rewarding—for everyone involved:

1. Ask questions. Where is the coffee from? Who grew it? Was it direct trade or sourced through a transparent channel?

2. Support roasters who share farmer stories and sourcing details. If the label just says “Colombian,” that’s a red flag.

3. Try lesser-known regions. Micro lots come from everywhere, not just the big-name farms.

4. Be open to variety. Micro lots are small and seasonal. Instead of expecting the same flavor year-round, embrace the adventure.

The Bottom Line: Drink Coffee That Feels Like a Win

At Win Win Coffee, we believe that every cup should benefit everyone involved, from the grower who cared for the crop to you, the person who takes that first satisfying sip.

We know it’s not always easy navigating buzzwords like “micro lot,” “direct trade,” or “exclusive.” That’s why we promise to keep it real, keep it transparent, and keep bringing you coffees that deserve the spotlight, no matter how small the lot or how humble the farm.

Because great coffee isn’t just about big names or polished labels.

Sometimes, the best cup comes from the quiet corners of the coffee world and all it needs is a chance to be heard.