Blockchain Adoption for Traceability in Organic Coffee Cooperatives in the Highlands of Peru

Abstract

This study proposes a blockchain-based traceability system tailored for organic coffee cooperatives in the highlands of Peru. Despite the country’s status as a leading exporter of organic coffee, existing supply-chain documentation remains fragmented and opaque, limiting trust, efficiency, and certification credibility. Using a design science methodology, this research models a decentralized digital ledger framework that records coffee production events—from harvest through export—on an immutable, verifiable blockchain. Stakeholder interviews and cooperative process mapping informed the design, ensuring that the proposed system addresses key challenges such as data integrity, certification compliance, and farmer recognition. The model features permissioned access for cooperative nodes, farm-level data capture, automated smart contract checks, and a transparent end-to-end provenance trail. Visualization tools like flowcharts and block diagrams illustrate the interaction between supply-chain actors and blockchain records. Discussion centers on system feasibility, implementation barriers, and potential socioeconomic benefits, such as enhanced market access and fair pricing for smallholder producers. While connectivity and adoption costs remain significant obstacles, the system offers a scalable solution for improving transparency and sustainability in global agri-food trade. The research contributes a replicable framework applicable to other high-value export commodities in the Global South.