In a notable projection, the Dubai free zone DMCC has set the stage for a remarkable $300 billion global tea boom by 2025. This surge is fueled by the rising popularity of premium, organic, and ready-to-drink teas, as well as advancements in climate-smart production and digital traceability. As key players in the industry gather to discuss this evolving landscape, the DMCC is pioneering initiatives to redefine the global tea market and solidify its role as a vital hub for tea trade.
The forecast was unveiled at the ninth Global Dubai Tea Forum (GDTF), where DMCC launched its latest special-edition report, Future of Trade: Tea.
This insightful study highlights the evolution of an industry valued at $18 billion in annual production and a substantial $9.8 billion in global trade, benefiting millions of smallholders around the world.
According to DMCC, the report presents a comprehensive roadmap for developing a more resilient, inclusive, and innovative tea economy, underscoring how trade hubs like Dubai are transforming the global value chain.
Dubai at the Centre of Global Tea Re-Exports
Recognized as a logistics and re-export leader, the UAE now represents over half of the world’s tea re-exports. The nation is enhancing its position in the value chain through advanced blending, packaging, flavor profiling, storage, and tax-efficient services—all made possible by the DMCC Tea Centre.
Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Executive Chairman and CEO of DMCC, emphasized, “Global tea consumption is nearing $300 billion annually, driven by premium, organic, and ready-to-drink formats, and the UAE sits at the center of this shift.”
“Since we launched the DMCC Tea Centre 20 years ago, Dubai has transitioned from a logistics gateway to a global hub for value creation. The real margin lies in value addition, including blending, branding, and verifiable provenance; hence, traceability and climate resilience have become essential.”
“This year’s Global Dubai Tea Forum has set a clear direction for the industry: build a tea economy that is climate-smart, digitally traceable, and commercially investable,” he continued. “We will continue to collaborate with the industry and expand the platforms that transform those principles into competitive advantages.”
The UAE Trade Ecosystem
Abdulaziz Al Nuaimi, Assistant Under-Secretary for Entrepreneurship and the Economic Affairs Regulatory Sector at the UAE Ministry of Economy, commented, “Dubai’s position as one of the world’s major tea re-export hubs reflects the UAE’s broader success in establishing a trade ecosystem characterized by certainty, innovation, and openness.”
“Tea has historically been a driving force in global commerce, and today it continues to connect producers and consumers through modern, technology-enabled value chains,” he added. “By leveraging advanced infrastructure and efficient trade policy, the UAE has transformed tea from a traditional commodity into a catalyst for sustainable growth. This is what the UAE, Dubai, and the DMCC Tea Centre offer.”
Steeped in Success
The GDTF, held under the theme “Tea at the Crossroads: Trade, Tariffs, and Technology in an Age of Realignment,” gathered hundreds of stakeholders, including government officials, producers, traders, buyers, and multinationals, to explore the challenges and opportunities that are reshaping the sector.
Topics of discussion included the impact of climate volatility, inflation, and evolving consumer behavior—particularly among Generation Z—on demand, supply routes, and product formats.
Participants also examined direct-to-consumer models, tariff pressures, equitable sustainability frameworks, and the necessity for inclusive financing for smallholder farmers. Building on DMCC’s research, attendees advocated for investments in climate-resilient farming, digital traceability systems, and wellness-focused product innovations, mirroring the growing demand for functional and organic teas.
Given that climate risk is already affecting major producers like Kenya, experts emphasized that traceability and resilience are not just trends but commercial necessities for the global tea trade.
DMCC Tea Centre: Powering Dubai’s Global Role
Nestled within Dubai’s global trade ecosystem, the DMCC Tea Centre offers a range of integrated services, including storage, tasting, blending, packaging, and re-export facilities, which streamline global supply chains and foster product innovation.
In 2024, the centre managed over 24,400 metric tonnes of tea, forging connections between producers from traditional origin markets and rapidly growing consumer hubs across the Middle East, Europe, and Asia.