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Traceability and lot coding

This topic explains how traceability and lot coding work in coffee milling, why they are essential for quality assurance, and how they support transparency and trust in specialty markets.

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  • Coffee Basics Nerds
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Article 9 of 12 in Milling, Sorting & Grading/
Traceability and lot coding

What is Traceability?

  • The ability to track coffee from farm to cup through documented records.
  • Ensures that each lot’s origin, process, and quality attributes are preserved.
  • Key for buyer confidence, certification, and sustainability claims.

What is Lot Coding?

  • A unique identifier assigned to each coffee lot during processing and storage.
  • Appears on bags, warehouse logs, and export documentation.
  • Encodes information such as:
  • Farm or cooperative name.
  • Harvest date.
  • Variety or cultivar.
  • Processing method (washed, natural, honey).
  • Quality classification.

Importance of Traceability & Lot Coding

  • Quality assurance: Links cupping results and QA checks back to specific lots.
  • Market differentiation: Micro-lots, single-farm lots, or experimental processes marketed transparently.
  • Accountability: Provides a chain of custody through each stage (farm, mill, exporter, importer).
  • Certifications: Organic, Fairtrade, Rainforest Alliance require strict traceability.

Best Practices for Lot Coding

  • Use standardized codes (letters/numbers) across cooperatives.
  • Place durable, waterproof tags or stencils on bags.
  • Maintain digital or paper logs for each lot.
  • Cross-reference codes with cup scores and defect data.

Tools for Traceability

  • Manual logs: Basic but effective for smallholders.
  • Barcoding/RFID: Used in larger estates and cooperatives.
  • Blockchain systems: Emerging for full transparency in global trade.

Benefits to Producers & Buyers

  • Producers gain recognition and premiums for specific high-quality lots.
  • Buyers can market coffees with full origin and process transparency.
  • Builds long-term trust in direct trade relationships.

Lasting Importance

Traceability and lot coding are foundations of modern coffee trade. They ensure that coffee’s identity is preserved, from the farm to the roaster, allowing quality differentiation, consumer trust, and accountability in specialty markets.

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Coffee Basics Nerds

Written by : Coffee Basics Nerds

Expert coffee historians and brewing enthusiasts dedicated to sharing the rich heritage and techniques behind your perfect cup of coffee.

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