The Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC), a leading international business hub that facilitates global trade flows through Dubai, has wrapped up the second edition of the Dubai Coffee Auction, which garnered a total of $70,000 in specialty coffee sales. The auction brought together producers from 13 countries, marking the broadest geographic representation ever recorded in a single coffee auction. This initiative is part of DMCC’s “Discover Producers” program, reinforcing Dubai’s status as a premier global center for specialty coffee trade.
The Dubai Coffee Auction was held alongside the Dubai Coffee World Exhibition 2026, witnessing considerable international participation that resulted in 1,364 bids from buyers across various specialty coffee markets. Notably, the event marked the first international sale of coffee from the contiguous United States, establishing a new pricing benchmark for coffee from the continental U.S. This highlighted the platform’s crucial role in enhancing producer discovery while promoting a transparent and structured market that aids in reliable price discovery and direct market access.
The auctions also produced notable price outcomes, particularly from well-established coffee-producing countries. A batch of Bolivian specialty coffee sold for $386 per kilogram, marking the second-highest price ever recorded for Bolivian coffee at auction. This underscores the ongoing global demand for high-quality, traceable coffee when presented on transparent and competitive platforms.
On this occasion, Ahmed Hamza, Executive Director of the DMCC Free Zone, stated, “With the global coffee market value surpassing $130 billion, and the continued growth of specialty coffee’s share of global consumption, finding reliable pricing discovery mechanisms is not a choice but a necessity for the long-term sustainability of this sector. The results of the Dubai Coffee Auction 2026, which featured the highest number of participating countries ever in a single auction, clearly demonstrate the strong global demand for high-quality, traceable coffee when producers have direct access to international buyers. Through this platform, DMCC translates Dubai’s advanced infrastructure into transparent pricing, genuine competition, and tangible value for origin countries, further enhancing the emirate’s position as a leading global hub for specialty coffee trade.”
The Dubai Coffee Auction is part of a series of three auctions held during the Dubai Coffee World Exhibition 2026. The program kicked off with the “Dubai Coffee Equipment Auction,” showcasing exclusive and limited-edition equipment from exhibitors on the first day. The second day featured the “Microlot Auction,” highlighting the finest specialty coffees from prominent traditional and emerging origin countries. The series concluded with the “Exhibitors’ Coffee Auction,” allowing roasters and participating producers to present their unique coffees to an international audience of buyers.
David Paparelli, CEO of “M-Cultivo,” commented, “The results achieved through these auctions reflect the resilience of the specialty coffee market and affirm the pivotal role auctions play in rewarding quality at the origin countries. The intense international competition, particularly for coffee from Panama, illustrates the positive impact of transparent auction platforms in fostering buyer confidence and ensuring fair, sustainable market value for producers.”
The Dubai Coffee Auction receives support from the “Coffee Center,” part of DMCC, a state-of-the-art facility located in the Jebel Ali Free Zone. It offers a comprehensive service ecosystem covering all stages of the coffee value chain, including storage, processing, roasting, logistics, and training. With this advanced infrastructure, the center connects producers from key coffee-growing regions in Latin America, Africa, and Asia with international markets, enhancing trade efficiency and supporting sustainable, long-term access to global markets.
The Dubai Coffee World Exhibition 2026 took place from January 18 to 20 at the Dubai World Trade Centre, featuring over 2,100 exhibiting companies and brands from across the global specialty coffee industry.