Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC), known as the world’s leading international business district, has taken a big step in the global coffee industry. DMCC has officially opened the new mezzanine level at its Coffee Centre in Dubai. This special space is designed to help coffee businesses, traders, and producers grow, connect, and succeed in international markets.
At the same time, DMCC has released a new Future of Trade special edition report focused on the coffee sector. This report gives an in-depth look at how the global coffee industry, worth more than 200 billion US dollars, is changing. It explains the challenges, the opportunities, and the new ways the world is trading one of its most loved drinks.
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A New Coffee Hub in Dubai
The mezzanine level at the DMCC Coffee Centre is not just another floor in a building. It is a 500-square-metre modern business hub that includes:
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16 private offices available for lease,
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Flexible hot-desking options for people who prefer open workspaces,
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A members-only espresso bar where coffee products can be demonstrated and guests can be hosted.
This new space is more than just desks and chairs. It is built to bring together coffee professionals from different parts of the world—farmers, roasters, traders, and entrepreneurs. DMCC believes this expansion has come at the perfect time because the coffee sector now needs flexible and integrated infrastructure more than ever.
Coffee: More Than Just a Drink
Ahmed Bin Sulayem, the Executive Chairman and CEO of DMCC, shared some inspiring words about coffee. He explained that coffee is not only a commodity—it is part of culture, history, and everyday life.
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Every day, around two billion cups of coffee are consumed worldwide.
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More than 25 million farmers, mostly smallholders, depend on coffee for their livelihood.
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Coffee has played an important role in history, starting from the terraces of Yemen and the port of Mocha, then spreading to Europe where coffeehouses became centres of trade, finance, and new ideas.
He also pointed out that today, the coffee sector is at an important turning point. The industry is moving towards direct trade between producers and consumers, smarter farming practices to fight climate change, and the use of digital tools like AI, blockchain, and tokenization to make the supply chain more transparent and fair.
Dubai’s Expanding Role in Global Coffee
Dubai is not only a place where coffee is redistributed; it has now become a global stage for specialty coffee. For example, the World of Coffee Dubai 2025 event attracted more than 17,000 visitors and achieved record auction prices for rare coffee lots.
The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) coffee market is growing rapidly and is expected to be worth around 11.5 billion US dollars. DMCC is at the heart of this growth. With its Tradeflow platform, which provides digital title infrastructure, Dubai is becoming a leader in shaping the future of coffee trade.
The Future of Coffee: Key Trends from the Report
The special edition of the Future of Trade report focuses entirely on coffee. It explains how global coffee trade, valued at over 26 billion US dollars annually, is facing changes and challenges. Here are the main trends highlighted in the report:
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New Trade Corridors
Emerging markets like China and Asia-Pacific countries are becoming major buyers of coffee, reshaping global demand patterns. -
Value Retention at Origin
Producing countries such as Ethiopia, Tanzania, and Mexico are investing more in local roasting, branding, and domestic coffee consumption. This helps them keep more of the value from their coffee instead of exporting only raw beans. -
Digital Trade and Traceability
Tools like blockchain, artificial intelligence (AI), and tokenised trading are making the coffee supply chain more transparent. These digital tools reduce risk, improve trust, and give consumers confidence about where their coffee comes from. -
Climate-Smart Agriculture
Since climate change is one of the biggest threats to coffee production, farmers are adopting drought-resistant coffee plants, agroforestry techniques, and regenerative farming practices. These methods are vital for protecting coffee for future generations. -
Changing Consumer Dynamics
Younger generations, especially Gen Z, are demanding more specialty coffee, sustainable practices, and premium coffee experiences. This shift is forcing the industry to innovate and offer higher quality, more ethically sourced coffee.
Recommendations for the Coffee Sector
The report does not just highlight problems; it also gives solutions. Some of the key recommendations include:
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Invest more in climate-smart agriculture so that coffee can survive changing weather conditions.
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Improve price transparency and value capture for coffee farmers by digitising supply chains.
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Encourage direct-to-consumer models to give producers more income and reduce reliance on middlemen.
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Develop trade infrastructure in strategic hubs like Dubai to make logistics faster, cut down carbon emissions, and ensure better traceability.
Voices from DMCC: Commitment to Coffee Growth
Mike Butler, Associate Director – Coffee at DMCC, said the new mezzanine level is a reflection of DMCC’s commitment to coffee members. He explained that DMCC supports its coffee ecosystem with services such as warehousing, logistics, roasting facilities, and member-to-member trade.
The new mezzanine gives coffee professionals a place to meet, innovate, and build partnerships. According to Butler, this is part of DMCC’s larger mission to make Dubai a global coffee hub.
The Future of Trade Series
The new coffee report is part of DMCC’s Future of Trade series. This series has become one of the most trusted resources on global trade. So far, it has been downloaded or viewed more than 2.5 million times around the world. It helps businesses, governments, and traders understand how global trade is changing due to shifting supply chains and economic challenges.
By focusing on coffee in this edition, DMCC shows how even a single commodity can reflect the bigger changes happening in global trade.
Brewing the Next Chapter of Coffee
The opening of the mezzanine at the DMCC Coffee Centre and the release of the new Future of Trade coffee report mark an important moment for the global coffee industry. Coffee is not just a daily drink—it is a global business, a cultural symbol, and a livelihood for millions of people.
As challenges like climate change, shifting consumer habits, and digital disruption reshape the industry, DMCC is positioning Dubai as a key hub where heritage, innovation, and sustainable growth come together.
With this ecosystem in place, the next chapter of coffee will not only be about taste and aroma but also about fairness, technology, and resilience.
