According to Khalid Al-Mulla, Chairman of the Specialty Coffee Association in the UAE, the coffee trade in the country, particularly in Dubai, has experienced significant growth in recent years. This surge is driven by both direct and indirect government support and a comprehensive economic framework that has helped position Dubai as a pivotal hub for specialty coffee trade regionally and globally.
In statements made to a local news outlet, Al-Mulla emphasized that Dubai has become a thriving center for coffee commerce, now often referred to as the coffee capital of the region. A large number of regional and international companies have chosen to relocate or expand their operations to Dubai due to confidence in its advanced infrastructure, free trade regulations, streamlined processes, and specialized exhibitions and events overseen by various entities, including the Specialty Coffee Association of the UAE. He highlighted that Dubai serves as a platform for deals and contracts, benefiting from its proximity to markets with significant purchasing power and high population density, giving the UAE a competitive advantage in trade management rather than mere consumption. Furthermore, he pointed out that the specialty coffee trade fundamentally relies on culture, impacting consumers, suppliers, traders, café owners, and roasters alike. He noted that increasing awareness and knowledge are crucial for the sector’s sustainability and growth, rather than just numerical expansion.
Regarding the association’s role, Al-Mulla underscored that the Specialty Coffee Association of the UAE plays a central part in organizing the sector and enhancing its professional standards through organizing exhibitions, specialized competitions, and workshops, while also focusing on educational programs that serve as the foundation for the association’s work.
He detailed that these programs are based on six different educational curricula, each comprising five training levels, targeting a broad audience ranging from home business owners to café and roastery operators, as well as suppliers and professionals in the supply chain through an accredited membership system within the association. Concerning the Dubai Coffee World Exhibition, Al-Mulla noted that its ongoing success in the past years has led to a renewal of the contract between the global specialty coffee association and the Dubai World Trade Centre for an additional five years, extending through 2031, confirming Dubai’s status as a permanent strategic location for the exhibition in the region.
He further explained that the strategy for the exhibition focuses on continuously updating the accompanying activities for each edition, ensuring that experiences do not replicate in the same manner. He cited the introduction of specialized auctions in previous editions and the addition of the World Brewer’s Cup in 2026 as examples of gradual enhancements that increase the exhibition’s appeal and its commercial and professional value.
Market Maturity
Al-Mulla emphasized that the expansion of specialty coffee in the UAE is no longer just about the number of cafes, but rather indicators of the market’s maturity. He explained that the inclusion of specialty coffee across a wider array of venues, such as hotels, restaurants, and even some fast-service outlets, is a significant marker indicating that the market is entering a deeper phase of distribution and professionalism.
He affirmed that the coffee trade community in Dubai functions as a cohesive entity working together across various sectors, highlighting the critical role played by the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre’s coffee hub, particularly in logistics, as it has reduced supply times from approximately four months to just a few days, which has directly improved the operational capital efficiency of businesses.
Additionally, he mentioned that the centre offers storage capacity for green coffee of around 8,000 tons, indicating a notable shift in market structure. Previously, specialty coffee accounted for about 20% of total imports compared to 80% for commercial coffee, but that proportion has now risen to approximately 60% for specialty coffee versus 40% for commercial coffee, clearly reflecting an evolution in market tastes and an increased demand for quality.