Purpose This study evaluates whether making sensory quality visible through cupping tests improves price outcomes for smallholder coffee producers and facilitates their access to differentiated markets. Design/methodology/approach We use panel data from Colombia's Nariño region (2012–2016) and a difference-in-differences strategy to estimate the causal effects of cupping-based quality verification. To enhance generalizability, we also validate results with a nationally representative dataset of coffee producers collected in 2024 across Colombia's most climate-vulnerable regions. Findings The intervention significantly increased coffee prices for farmers receiving both technical assistance and cupping, especially in high-altitude areas. Price gains were driven by improvements in commercial knowledge and increased engagement with buyers. Income effects varied due to trade-offs in livelihood specialization. Research limitations/implications The short time window limits observation of long-run income impacts. Further longitudinal follow-up is recommended. Social implications Targeted interventions that match farmers' agroecological conditions can foster inclusive development in rural areas. Originality/value This is among the first studies to provide causal evidence on the role of sensory quality verification in informal value chains in a developing country context.
Casanova et al. (Fri,) studied this question.