With the UAE's coffee industry brewing a staggering market value of over AED 5 billion and residents consuming the highest amount per capita in the Middle East, these insights reveal a nation deeply infatuated with its daily cup.
Key Takeaways
- The UAE coffee market was valued at AED 5.2 billion (approximately USD 1.42 billion) in 2023, reflecting a CAGR of 7.5% from 2018-2023.
- Projected UAE coffee market revenue to reach AED 7.1 billion by 2028, growing at 6.8% annually.
- Coffee segment accounted for 62% of the UAE hot drinks market value in 2023.
- UAE residents consume 12 kg of coffee per capita annually, highest in Middle East as of 2023.
- 78% of UAE population aged 18-35 drinks coffee daily in 2023 survey.
- Average daily coffee intake in UAE is 3.2 cups per person in urban areas.
- Coffee production in UAE's Al Ain region reached 150 tons in 2023.
- Number of coffee farms in UAE Ras Al Khaimah increased to 45 in 2023.
- UAE local arabica yield averaged 1.2 tons per hectare in 2023.
- Total coffee imports to UAE reached 42,000 metric tons in 2023.
- Brazil supplied 45% of UAE coffee imports, 18,900 tons in 2023.
- UAE coffee import value totaled USD 450 million in 2023.
- 62% of UAE consumers prefer third-wave coffee trends in 2023.
- Plant-based coffee alternatives grew 28% in UAE market 2023.
- NFC (non-filter coffee) popularity rose to 40% in cafes.
The UAE's coffee market is large, rapidly growing, and led by youthful consumption trends.
Consumption Patterns
- UAE residents consume 12 kg of coffee per capita annually, highest in Middle East as of 2023.
- 78% of UAE population aged 18-35 drinks coffee daily in 2023 survey.
- Average daily coffee intake in UAE is 3.2 cups per person in urban areas.
- 65% of coffee consumed in UAE is arabica variety based on 2023 data.
- Instant coffee accounts for 42% of total UAE coffee consumption volume in 2023.
- Coffee consumption in Dubai cafes averaged 1.8 million cups daily in 2023.
- 52% of UAE women consume coffee daily, up 15% from 2020.
- Out-of-home coffee consumption represents 58% of total in UAE, 2023.
- Per capita coffee spend in UAE reached AED 150 yearly for millennials in 2023.
- 71% of expatriates in UAE prefer espresso-based drinks, 2023 poll.
- Coffee consumption growth in UAE was 5.2% YoY in volume terms, 2023.
- 34% of UAE coffee drinkers opt for iced coffee year-round, 2023.
- Average cup price in UAE coffee shops was AED 18.5 in 2023.
- 82% of UAE office workers consume coffee during work hours daily.
- Home coffee brewing rose 22% post-COVID, 40% households own machines.
- UAE youth (18-24) consume 4.1 cups daily on average, 2023.
- Decaf coffee consumption is 8% of total UAE market, growing 4% YoY.
- Ramadan coffee consumption spikes 35% during iftar periods.
- 67% UAE consumers prefer sustainably sourced coffee, 2023.
- Coffee with milk (lattes, cappuccinos) 55% of orders in UAE cafes.
- Black coffee consumption declined 3% to 22% market share in 2023.
- UAE tourists consume 2.5 million cups daily in hospitality venues.
- Plant-based milk in coffee rose to 18% of orders in UAE, 2023.
- Average household coffee consumption 2.8 kg monthly in UAE.
- 76% of UAE drivers consume coffee before driving, safety study 2023.
Consumption Patterns Interpretation
The UAE runs not on oil, but on a potent and highly socialized espresso drip, fueled by a young, diverse population who practically mainline arabica lattes at work, at home, and in cafes while somehow still finding time to drive.
Import/Export Data
- Total coffee imports to UAE reached 42,000 metric tons in 2023.
- Brazil supplied 45% of UAE coffee imports, 18,900 tons in 2023.
- UAE coffee import value totaled USD 450 million in 2023.
- Vietnam's share in UAE coffee imports was 22%, 9,240 tons.
- UAE re-exported 8,500 tons of coffee to GCC countries in 2023.
- Average import price per kg of green coffee to UAE was USD 4.20 in 2023.
- Colombia exported 3,200 tons of coffee to UAE in 2023.
- UAE coffee import growth rate was 4.8% YoY in volume, 2023.
- Ethiopia supplied 12% of UAE arabica imports, 5,040 tons.
- Dubai ports handled 85% of UAE coffee imports, 35,700 tons.
- UAE exported roasted coffee worth AED 95 million in 2023.
- Instant coffee imports to UAE were 15,000 tons in 2023.
- Top UAE coffee export destinations: Saudi Arabia 40%, Oman 25%.
- Coffee import tariffs in UAE averaged 5% on green beans in 2023.
- UAE-Japan coffee trade volume hit 1,200 tons imports in 2023.
- Green coffee imports dominated 70% of total UAE coffee imports.
- UAE coffee re-exports to Europe totaled 2,100 tons in 2023.
- Indonesia's robusta exports to UAE: 4,500 tons, 2023.
- Coffee container throughput at Jebel Ali port: 12,000 TEUs.
- UAE coffee import from Africa region: 28%, 11,760 tons.
- Processed coffee exports from UAE grew 12% to AED 110 million.
- 65% of UAE coffee imports cleared via free zones in 2023.
- Honduras coffee shipments to UAE: 800 tons in 2023.
- UAE coffee trade balance showed USD 420 million import surplus.
- 45% of UAE specialty coffee imports from Central America.
- Sustainable certified coffee imports to UAE: 9,000 tons, 2023.
- UAE coffee export certifications issued: 1,500 shipments.
Import/Export Data Interpretation
Brazil may provide nearly half of the UAE's imported beans, but the true local brew is a robust and finely-ground business of re-exporting, roasting, and turning a healthy profit, proving the nation's taste is as much for commerce as it is for coffee.
Market Size & Growth
- The UAE coffee market was valued at AED 5.2 billion (approximately USD 1.42 billion) in 2023, reflecting a CAGR of 7.5% from 2018-2023.
- Projected UAE coffee market revenue to reach AED 7.1 billion by 2028, growing at 6.8% annually.
- Coffee segment accounted for 62% of the UAE hot drinks market value in 2023.
- UAE specialty coffee market size stood at USD 250 million in 2022.
- Instant coffee sub-market in UAE generated AED 1.8 billion in revenue in 2023.
- Roasted coffee market in UAE valued at AED 2.9 billion in 2023.
- UAE coffee shop industry market size reached AED 3.4 billion in 2023.
- Online coffee sales in UAE grew to 15% of total market revenue in 2023, valued at AED 780 million.
- UAE coffee market volume reached 45,000 metric tons in 2023.
- Average revenue per coffee outlet in UAE was AED 4.2 million in 2023.
- UAE coffee market expected to grow by AED 1.9 billion from 2024-2028.
- Fresh coffee segment in UAE valued at AED 1.1 billion in 2023.
- UAE coffee exports contributed AED 120 million to GDP in 2023.
- Coffee industry FDI in UAE reached AED 450 million in 2023.
- UAE coffee retail market size hit AED 4.1 billion in 2023.
- Growth rate of UAE arabica coffee market was 8.2% YoY in 2023.
- Robusta coffee market in UAE expanded by 6.1% to AED 890 million in 2023.
- UAE single-serve coffee pods market valued at AED 650 million in 2023.
- Coffee vending machines market in UAE reached AED 220 million in 2023.
- UAE premium coffee market grew 9.3% to AED 1.7 billion in 2023.
- Total coffee chain outlets in UAE numbered 2,500 in 2023, contributing AED 2.8 billion.
- UAE coffee processing industry output valued at AED 1.5 billion in 2023.
- E-commerce coffee sales CAGR in UAE was 12.4% from 2020-2023.
- UAE coffee market share of instant vs ground was 35% instant, 65% ground in 2023.
- Abu Dhabi coffee market subset valued at AED 1.2 billion in 2023.
- Dubai coffee market dominated with 55% national share, AED 2.86 billion in 2023.
- Sharjah coffee retail sales reached AED 450 million in 2023.
- UAE coffee market per capita spend averaged AED 45 annually in 2023.
- Coffee industry employment in UAE totaled 25,000 jobs in 2023.
- UAE coffee tax revenue generated AED 180 million in 2023.
Market Size & Growth Interpretation
Even in a nation built on petroleum, the UAE clearly runs on a potent and ever-growing blend of roasted ambition, instant convenience, and specialty sophistication, brewing a multi-billion dirham ecosystem from bean to cup with the efficiency of a perfectly calibrated machine.
Production Statistics
- Coffee production in UAE's Al Ain region reached 150 tons in 2023.
- Number of coffee farms in UAE Ras Al Khaimah increased to 45 in 2023.
- UAE local arabica yield averaged 1.2 tons per hectare in 2023.
- Coffee roasting capacity in UAE hit 20,000 tons annually in 2023.
- 12 new coffee processing plants opened in UAE industrial zones in 2023.
- UAE coffee bean grinding output was 35,000 tons in 2023.
- Local coffee varieties developed by ICBA yielded 20% higher in trials 2023.
- UAE hydroponic coffee production experimental farms produced 50 tons.
- Coffee plantation area in UAE expanded to 250 hectares by end 2023.
- Average cost of coffee production per kg in UAE was AED 120 in 2023.
- 8 UAE cooperatives involved in coffee production, harvesting 100 tons.
- Precision irrigation boosted UAE coffee yields by 25% in 2023 pilots.
- Organic coffee production certified farms in UAE: 15, output 80 tons.
- UAE coffee seedling nurseries supplied 500,000 plants in 2023.
- Coffee harvesting season in UAE mountains employed 2,000 seasonal workers.
- Local roasters processed 5% of UAE coffee supply domestically in 2023.
- UAE coffee quality grading labs tested 10,000 samples in 2023.
- Investment in UAE coffee agritech reached AED 50 million in 2023.
- Coffee disease resistance breeding programs in UAE saved 15% crop loss.
- UAE vertical farming coffee trials yielded 300 kg per sqm annually.
- Number of licensed coffee producers in UAE rose to 28 in 2023.
- UAE coffee export volume from local production was 120 tons in 2023.
Production Statistics Interpretation
The UAE's coffee industry is a staggering, sun-scorched testament to the power of oil money and agritech, where every precious bean grown in the desert at astronomical cost fuels a roasting and grinding operation large enough to supply a small continent.
Trends & Innovations
- 62% of UAE consumers prefer third-wave coffee trends in 2023.
- Plant-based coffee alternatives grew 28% in UAE market 2023.
- NFC (non-filter coffee) popularity rose to 40% in cafes.
- 55% UAE coffee shops adopted single-use plastic bans by 2023.
- Cold brew coffee sales surged 35% YoY in UAE summer 2023.
- AI-driven coffee roasting adopted by 20% UAE roasters.
- Functional coffee with adaptogens launched in 15% outlets.
- Coffee subscription services reached 250,000 users in UAE.
- 72% prefer ethically sourced coffee, per 2023 UAE survey.
- Nitro coffee taps installed in 30% Dubai coffee chains.
- Blockchain traceability in UAE coffee supply chain: 25% adoption.
- Women-owned coffee shops in UAE increased 40% to 180.
- Ready-to-drink (RTD) coffee market grew 22% in UAE.
- Coffee tourism events attracted 500,000 visitors in 2023.
- Zero-waste coffee initiatives in 45% UAE cafes.
- Mushroom coffee variants entered 10% of UAE markets.
- Mobile coffee vans numbered 1,200 across UAE in 2023.
- 68% UAE consumers seek low-acid coffee options.
- Pop-up coffee experiences hosted 120 events in Dubai 2023.
- Collagen-infused coffee sales up 18% in fitness cafes.
- 51% shift to reusable cups in UAE coffee purchases.
- Espresso martini coffee cocktails boomed 50% in bars.
- UAE coffee art competitions drew 5,000 participants.
- Home espresso machines sales rose 31% post-2022.
- 77% millennials experiment with coffee flavors weekly.
- Drive-thru coffee outlets expanded to 450 locations.
Trends & Innovations Interpretation
The UAE's coffee scene is a vibrant paradox where 62% of the population sips ethically sourced brews with a clear conscience while simultaneously indulging in a 50% boom in espresso martinis, proving that modern coffee culture is equal parts purpose and play.
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