Multidimensional sustainability assessment in a coffee production system

Iván Jair González-Valencia, Leticia Myriam Sagarnaga-Villegas, Vinicio Horacio Santoyo-Cortes, Julio Diaz-José

Abstract


Background. Sustainability in coffee production is relevant because of its social and environmental impact. The fragility of profitability, together with the need for responsible practices that consider social and environmental well-being, demands a comprehensive analysis of the issue. Objective. To evaluate the sustainability of certified coffee production and propose strategies to accredit compliance with the required indicators, considering the characteristics of small-scale coffee production in Mexico. Methodology. Work was carried out with coffee growers in the state of Chiapas, Mexico, through MESMIS; the certifications provided evidence of compliance with environmental and social sustainability; while for economic sustainability the cash flow generated was considered and compared with the requirements to overcome the family poverty line. Results. The production system studied, with four certifications, shows evidence of compliance with all the environmental and social sustainability indicators of the MESMIS. However, this framework does not consider important factors such as migration and the absence of generational renewal. Economic sustainability is met, although it is fragile due to price volatility and yield variability. Compliance with economic sustainability also depends on the size of the family and the existence of other family income. Implication. Shade-grown coffee, which has organic production and fair market certificates, is environmentally and socially sustainable with the MESMIS criteria; it is also economically sustainable with the current price and yield conditions, but due to the instability of the market it needs to be complemented with other sources of income, to be more robust. Conclusion. Although certified shade-grown coffee farming reflects environmental and social sustainability, economic sustainability remains fragile; therefore, it is a priority to strengthen it and promote the permanence of younger generations in the activity.

Keywords


Comprehensive sustainability; certifications; socio-environmental; multidimensional indicators.

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References


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URN: http://www.revista.ccba.uady.mx/urn:ISSN:1870-0462-tsaes.v29i1.65662

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.56369/tsaes.6566

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Copyright (c) 2026 Iván Jair Gonzáles-Valencia, Leticia Myriam Sagarnaga Villegas, Vinicio Horacio Santoyo Cortes, Julio Diaz José

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