12 billion dirhams, the value of the coffee market in the Emirates

The UAE continues to lead the transformation in the coffee market, as the value of the coffee market in the country exceeds 12 billion dirhams (about 3.2 billion dollars), while Dubai continues to consolidate its position as one of the most dense and diverse cities in the world in the number of cafes. In parallel, preparations for the Dubai World Trade Center are intensifying to host the fifth edition of the World of Coffee Dubai exhibition from January 18 to 20, 2026.

The markets of North Africa and the Levant, especially Egypt and Morocco, are witnessing remarkable growth, as coffee consumption in Egypt has doubled over the past five years, while Morocco recorded a 23% increase in coffee imports in 2024. At the regional level, the branded café sector has grown by more than 11%, driven by a young generation, of which more than 60% of the population is under 35 years old, and who treat coffee as a lifestyle, a cultural experience, and a contemporary identity.

Green coffee imports have also increased across the GCC countries, and Dubai has become a regional center for re-export, with the value of re-export exceeding 3.5 billion dirhams in 2024, supported by investments in storage warehouses, taste laboratories, quality control centers and specialized trade platforms.

Khaled Al Mulla, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Specialty Coffee Association in the Emirates, said that the pace of growth witnessed by the region is not only reflected in the spread of cafes or consumption data, but rather extends to include the infrastructure that is being developed along the value chain.

For her part, Shouq Bin Reda, Director of the World of Coffee Exhibition, said that we are witnessing the emergence of a new generation of entrepreneurs, producers and importers who are driving innovation, sustainability and long-term growth in this sector.