Coffee Trade Experiences Significant Growth in the UAE and Dubai Thanks to Government Support
The coffee trade in the UAE, particularly in Dubai, is accelerating and experiencing significant growth due to direct and indirect government support. Targeted economic policies have attracted more regional and global companies, making Dubai a leading hub for coffee trade at both regional and global levels.
The Voice of Coffee in Dubai
Khalid Al-Mulla, Chairman of the Specialty Coffee Association in the UAE, confirmed that the coffee trade in the country, especially in Dubai, has witnessed remarkable growth in recent years. In statements to “Al-Bayan,” he described Dubai as a vibrant center for coffee trade, calling it “the coffee capital of the region.” Many companies have decided to relocate their headquarters or expand their operations in Dubai due to the increasing confidence stemming from the advanced infrastructure and free trade systems.
He added that Dubai has transformed into a platform for deals and contracts due to its proximity to high purchasing power markets, providing the UAE with a significant competitive advantage in managing trade.
Coffee Culture as a Key Driver
The specialty coffee trade is fundamentally based on culture, both among consumers and suppliers. Al-Mulla emphasized the importance of raising awareness and knowledge as a real foundation for sustainable sector growth, rather than merely increasing the number of cafes.
Regarding the role of the Specialty Coffee Association in the UAE, Al-Mulla confirmed that it plays a pivotal role in organizing the sector and raising its standards through events and workshops, in addition to various educational programs targeting a wide audience interested in the coffee industry.
World of Coffee Exhibition: A Strategic Trade Platform
Al-Mulla discussed the success of the World of Coffee Dubai exhibition, which led to the renewal of the contract between the Global Specialty Coffee Association and the Dubai World Trade Centre for an additional five years, reflecting Dubai’s status as a strategic location for the exhibition. He noted that the adopted strategy relies on continuous renewal of accompanying activities to meet the changing market needs.
For instance, specialized auctions were introduced, and the World Barista Championship scheduled for 2026 was added, enhancing the exhibition’s appeal and commercial value.
Market Maturity and Its Role in Enhancing Productivity
Al-Mulla stressed that the prevalence of specialty coffee in the UAE is no longer solely related to the number of cafes but rather to market maturity. He explained that the presence of specialty coffee in institutions such as hotels and restaurants serves as evidence of the market moving towards higher levels of professionalism.
He affirmed that the coffee trading community in Dubai is considered an integrated community focused on collaboration among various sector stakeholders. He highlighted the vital role of the Coffee Centre in accelerating shipping and supply processes, positively impacting companies’ operational capital efficiency.
In conclusion, Al-Mulla mentioned that the Coffee Centre has a storage capacity of approximately 8,000 tons of green coffee, with a noticeable shift in market structure, where the share of specialty coffee has risen to 60% of total imports, reflecting the evolution of consumer tastes and the increasing demand for high-quality products.