Offering Exceptional Dining Experiences at Over 125 Restaurants
Participating restaurants represent more than 25 international cuisines, ranging from fine dining and upscale contemporary spots to popular local eateries and award-winning venues. Food enthusiasts can enjoy specially curated lunch menus for AED 125 and dinner menus for AED 250, with reservations available exclusively via the Careem DineOut app.
Dubai – Qahwa World
Dubai Restaurant Week returns this May, offering food lovers the chance to savor a diverse selection of dishes from over 25 international cuisines, reflecting the vibrant culinary landscape of Dubai.
In this edition, over 125 restaurants will present exclusive menus designed to highlight the city’s global flavors at competitive prices from May 1 to 17, 2026. The selection spans luxury, contemporary, and local dining, including elite venues recognized by Michelin, Gault&Millau, and MENA’s 50 Best Restaurants.
The experience features a two-course lunch menu for AED 125 per person and a three-course dinner menu for AED 250 per person, providing an opportunity to dine at some of the city’s most sought-after locations. Guests can explore international kitchens including over 30 Michelin-listed restaurants. The lineup of participating chefs features global icons such as Nobu Matsuhisa, Gordon Ramsay, Izu Ani, Alvin Leung, Akira Back, Kelvin Cheung, and Hadrian Villedieu, alongside homegrown concepts like Girl and the Goose by Chef Gabriella Chamorro.
A key highlight of the 2026 edition is the full integration of bookings within the Careem DineOut app, providing a seamless platform for users to browse, discover, and book their tables in one place.
Ahmed Al Khaja, CEO of Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), stated: “Dubai Restaurant Week continues to showcase the incredible diversity and rapid growth of Dubai’s culinary sector. Since its launch with just 30 restaurants, the event has grown significantly. Today, with over 125 participants, it has become a premier annual highlight for food lovers.”
Al Khaja emphasized the importance of collaboration with private and public partners, noting that the partnership with Careem makes the booking process more accessible, allowing diners to reach their preferred experiences with ease.
Dubai Restaurant Week celebrates the city’s variety, from Japanese and Italian to Latin American and Middle Eastern cuisines, as well as unique local concepts like Gerbou, which honors Emirati hospitality. Fans are encouraged to view the full list and book exclusively through Careem DineOut.
During Milan Design Week 2026, Victoria Arduino expands its presence across some of the city’s most iconic venues, reinforcing its connection with design, architecture, and contemporary culture. Through a series of curated activations, the brand expresses its vision of coffee as a balance between innovation, timeless aesthetics, and uncompromising quality.
Coffee as a design experience at Poltrona Frau
During Fuorisalone, Poltrona Frau welcomes an international audience to its Via Manzoni flagship store. Under the theme True Over Time, the brand highlights a dialogue between tradition, longevity, and contemporary vision.
In this setting, Victoria Arduino joins as a partner, transforming coffee into a ritual of style and conviviality. In collaboration with Lavazza, the brand will be present at the Poltrona Frau Café from April 14 to 26, offering moments of connection and discovery within a space dedicated to quality, design, and the value of time.
Experimental design at Alcova
Victoria Arduino will also participate in Alcova, one of the most experimental platforms of Milan Design Week, hosted at the former Military Hospital in Baggio.
Together with Lavazza, the brand will contribute to an environment that explores new design perspectives and creative approaches to space, strengthening the link between contemporary design culture and coffee.
Material and vision at Stanze Prototipo
From April 20 to 26, Victoria Arduino partners with Stanze Prototipo, curated by Azimut Design and OOM Glass, hosted at Valentina Ottone PR Showroom.
The project explores the concept of the prototype as a space for experimentation and storytelling, where materials, design, and vision converge. Victoria Arduino’s presence enhances the sensory dimension of the experience, combining performance, aesthetics, and contemporary research within the coffee ritual.
Community and sharing with Caffè Sospeso
As part of the week, Victoria Arduino collaborates with Santaromero Roaster for the Caffè Sospeso activation, blending coffee culture with social responsibility.
Taking place on April 21 and 22 at Spazio Pesca, the initiative—created by Studio Sospeso—reinterprets the tradition of suspended coffee as a modern act of sharing. The program includes sensory experiences, design-driven events, aperitivo gatherings, and networking opportunities, creating an inclusive space where coffee becomes a catalyst for dialogue and cultural exchange.
A citywide journey
Across Milan, each location presents a different facet of Victoria Arduino’s identity. Together, these activations form a distributed narrative that integrates coffee into the broader creative landscape of the city during one of the world’s most influential design events.
Coffee markets ended the week under renewed pressure, with Arabica futures retreating sharply after multiple failed attempts to break above key technical resistance levels. Broader macroeconomic volatility, shifting geopolitical sentiment, and emerging supply risks from origin countries combined to shape a turbulent trading environment across both Arabica and Robusta markets.
The July 2026 Arabica contract (KCN26), which remained the most active benchmark during the reporting period, opened the week on a volatile but broadly stable footing. Early trading on Monday saw prices rally from an opening level of 294.60 cents per pound, briefly pushing above the psychologically significant 300 cents per pound threshold. However, the move quickly lost momentum, with the market failing to establish sustained trading above this level.
By Tuesday, modest gains of 1.35 cents per pound were recorded, supported by tightening short-term supply conditions. Market sentiment was further underpinned by export data from Cecafe, which indicated a 10 percent year-on-year decline in Brazilian coffee exports for March 2026, reinforcing concerns over near-term availability.
Wednesday marked the third consecutive session in which the market attempted and failed to sustain levels above 300 cents per pound. The inability to hold above this technical resistance level contributed to a gradual deterioration in sentiment, although the market still closed marginally higher on the day.
The tone shifted decisively on Thursday. Following a strengthening US dollar and a lack of buying interest above the 300 level, Arabica futures broke sharply lower, falling below 290 cents per pound within the first two hours of trading. The market reached an intraday low of 287.10 cents per pound before recovering slightly into the close.
However, selling pressure persisted into Friday, with no meaningful rebound in sentiment. The week concluded with Arabica futures settling at 284.25 cents per pound, marking a clear downside move and a rejection of recent resistance levels.
Currency Markets: Geopolitics Drive Volatility in FX
Foreign exchange markets were heavily influenced by developments surrounding US–Iran relations, with shifting geopolitical signals driving volatility across major currency pairs.
At the start of the week, both GBP/USD and EUR/USD weakened following the breakdown of US–Iran negotiations over the weekend. Sterling opened at 1.34, while the euro began at 1.16, reflecting a broad-based strengthening of the US dollar amid heightened geopolitical uncertainty.
Midweek sentiment improved after reports emerged suggesting that diplomatic discussions between the United States and Iran had resumed. This development supported a recovery in risk appetite, pushing GBP/USD above 1.35 and EUR/USD above 1.18. During this period, the US Dollar Index (DXY) eased to just above 98, reflecting a temporary shift away from safe-haven assets.
However, sentiment reversed again towards the end of the week. Markets reacted to the announcement that the Strait of Hormuz had been fully reopened to commercial shipping for the duration of the ceasefire. The news reduced concerns over supply disruption risks and encouraged a renewed rotation into risk assets.
As a result, the US dollar weakened further, with the DXY falling back below 98, approaching a seven-week low. Currency markets remained sensitive to ongoing geopolitical developments, with volatility expected to persist.
In Colombia, coffee production is expected to decline compared with both 2024 and 2025 levels. Persistent and excessive rainfall has disrupted key stages of crop development, including flowering, cherry maturation, and bean formation.
Southern growing regions have been particularly affected, with reduced sunlight hours compounding the impact of heavy rainfall. While a natural production correction was anticipated following a strong prior year, current climatic conditions are increasingly viewed as a key downside risk to output.
Vietnam and Indonesia: El Niño Risk Intensifies
In Vietnam and parts of Indonesia, market attention is increasingly focused on the potential development of a stronger El Niño event during the current cycle.
According to the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), there is a 25 percent probability that the ENSO positive phase could reach “super” intensity. Such an event is defined by central-equatorial Pacific sea surface temperatures at least two degrees Celsius above average.
Historically, only three super El Niño events have been recorded in the past 40 years, with the most recent occurring in 2015–2016.
For key coffee-producing regions such as Vietnam and Indonesia, El Niño conditions typically bring drier weather patterns. A stronger event could result in prolonged drought, elevated temperatures, and water stress, all of which would materially impact coffee production.
Vietnam, as the world’s largest producer of Robusta coffee, is particularly exposed to these risks. Any significant reduction in output would likely tighten global supply conditions and could provide upward support to LIFFE Robusta futures.
Conclusion
The coffee market enters the new reporting period with a softer technical outlook for Arabica, heightened sensitivity to macroeconomic and geopolitical developments, and increasing attention on weather-related supply risks across key origin regions. While short-term price action remains driven by dollar strength and risk sentiment, medium-term fundamentals continue to be shaped by production uncertainty in South America and Asia.
Ecuador is positioning itself as one of the most advanced countries in adapting to the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), which is scheduled to take effect on December 30, 2026. Unlike many other cocoa origins, Ecuador’s cocoa sector already exceeds 90% compliance and is approaching full alignment, according to the National Association of Cocoa Exporters. This reflects significant progress in traceability, sustainability, and transparency, all of which are essential for continued access to the European market.
The country’s progress is supported by a long-term national strategy. For five consecutive years, Ecuador has led exports of organic products to the European Union, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock. This leadership strengthens its position in a global market where environmental compliance is becoming a mandatory requirement rather than an optional standard.
The EUDR requires proof that agricultural products are not linked to deforestation. For cocoa, this means implementing geolocation systems, farm-level monitoring, and full traceability across the supply chain. Ecuador has made notable progress in these areas through coordination between exporters, producers, and public institutions, reducing the risk of exclusion from the European market.
The country is also expanding its compliance base by integrating more producers into formal systems. National programs aim to register and support up to 100,000 cocoa and coffee farmers, helping them meet EUDR requirements and avoid potential export losses. These efforts also contribute to strengthening sector formalization and improving long-term competitiveness.
The EUDR, first proposed in 2019 and approved in 2023 by the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union, represents a major shift in global agricultural trade. After two implementation delays, the regulation is still set to apply at the end of 2026, leaving a limited adjustment period for exporting countries.
Within this context, Ecuador is not only reducing compliance risks but also gaining a competitive advantage. Its high level of readiness positions it as a reliable supplier in an increasingly strict regulatory environment.
The strength of Ecuador’s position is also linked to the scale of its cocoa industry. The country produces between 380,000 and 420,000 tons of cocoa annually and is the world’s leading exporter of fine aroma cocoa, accounting for around 60% of global supply in this segment. More than 70% of production is exported, generating between 3.5 and 4 billion US dollars annually, with the European Union as the main destination.
Cocoa production is concentrated in provinces such as Los Ríos, Guayas, and Manabí, along with other important areas including Esmeraldas and El Oro, and expanding regions in the Amazon such as Sucumbíos and Orellana. The sector involves around 600,000 families, mostly smallholder farmers. Between 15% and 25% of Ecuadorian cocoa already carries sustainability or organic certification, further reinforcing its readiness for new regulatory standards.
Ann Arbor has seen a steady rise in Yemeni coffee shops over the past few years, reflecting a growing interest in the style and culture behind this type of coffee. Several cafés have opened across the city, including Bun Chai Yemeni Coffee & Tea, Bayt Almocha, Qahwah House, Socotra Coffee House, and Jabal. Another concept, Caffeena, is expected to take over a former bubble tea location on East Liberty Street, though no opening date has been confirmed.
Coffee is widely linked to Yemen, where it is believed to have played an early role in the development of global coffee culture. It spread internationally through the port of Mocha, which became closely associated with the beverage. Yemeni coffee is often recognized for its strong use of spices such as cardamom, cinnamon, and ginger, giving it a distinct flavor compared to more common Western styles.
Jabal first opened in Dearborn in late 2023 before expanding to Ann Arbor in early 2024. Its founders say the success of the first location helped drive the decision to enter the Ann Arbor market, where demand for specialty coffee continues to grow. The shop focuses on more than just coffee, aiming to create a space centered on hospitality and community.
Bayt Almocha, which opened in Kerrytown in 2025, follows a similar approach and is part of a larger national expansion. One of its goals is to introduce Yemeni food and coffee culture to new audiences while maintaining ties to its origins.
A key feature of many Yemeni coffee shops in Ann Arbor is their late operating hours. These spaces often serve as social hubs where people gather in the evening to study, meet friends, or spend time in a relaxed environment. This has made them especially popular among students at the University of Michigan, where finding late-night study spaces can be challenging.
Customers often describe these cafés as more welcoming and community-focused than traditional chains. Rather than offering quick service and takeaway drinks, Yemeni coffee shops encourage customers to stay, socialize, and enjoy the atmosphere.
As more locations open, Ann Arbor is becoming part of a broader trend that is bringing Yemeni coffee culture into mainstream café life across the United States.
A growing wave of Yemeni coffee culture is making its way into Visalia, reflecting a broader trend already gaining momentum across nearby cities like Fresno.
Originating from Yemen, coffee from this region has long held a significant place in global trade, especially through the historic port of Al Mokha—a name widely associated with the term “mocha.”
A new café, Siraj Coffee House, is preparing to open its doors in Visalia, introducing customers to the distinctive character of Yemeni coffee. The drinks are known for their slow brewing methods and rich aromatic profiles, often enhanced with spices such as cardamom, cloves, saffron, and nutmeg.
In addition to traditional Yemeni offerings, the café plans to serve Italian-style coffee and a range of beverages with little or no caffeine, including teas, fresh juices, and drinks like Brazilian lemonade. The menu will also feature house-made pastries, highlighting Middle Eastern sweets such as sabaya—a layered honey cake—and a soft, pull-apart bread filled with cream cheese.
The business is the result of a partnership between local entrepreneurs, including one also associated with Smash Town Burgers. While expansion plans are being considered, the immediate focus remains on launching the first location.
Set to open at 2145 W. Whitendale Avenue, the café occupies a space previously used by another bakery, marking a fresh chapter for the site.
This opening reflects a wider national surge in interest around Yemeni coffee. Establishments like Bab al-Yemen Cafe helped introduce the concept to the Central Valley, while brands such as Qamaria Yemeni Coffee have expanded the presence of Yemeni-style cafés across multiple states.
As the trend continues, Visalia joins a growing list of cities embracing this centuries-old coffee tradition with a modern twist.
Dubai – Qahwa WorldThe coffee market has always been volatile, but in recent years fluctuations have intensified. While prices were historically shaped by harvest expectations, weather patterns, and supply–demand dynamics, financial market mechanisms, including speculative trading and algorithm-driven strategies are increasingly amplifying price swings, sometimes exceeding underlying supply fundamentals.
At the same time, climate change remains the most significant long-term challenge facing the sector. Across producing regions, erratic weather patterns—from prolonged droughts to unexpected rainfall and extreme storms—disrupt harvest cycles, reduce yields, and create growing uncertainty throughout the global coffee value chain.
In 2025, several of these pressures converged. Arabica prices surged on the New York C-Market amid drought-affected Brazilian crops and delayed harvests in parts of Central America. Logistical bottlenecks, geopolitical tensions, and lingering trade policies—including tariffs introduced under the Trump administration—added further complexity to the global trading environment. Meanwhile, regulatory developments in the European Union—notably the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) and updated organic standards—introduced additional compliance requirements for actors across the coffee value chain.
Despite this challenging environment, EFICO achieved strategic growth in 2025, moving more coffee than ever while continuing to build on nearly a century of experience in connecting coffee value chain partners. Through strategic sourcing and transparent collaboration with partner farmers, cooperatives, exporters, and roasters, EFICO works to strengthen every link in the chain—helping partners navigate market volatility, regulatory complexity, and climate-related challenges.
EFICO | Connecting the coffee value chain
For nearly a century, EFICO has connected coffee value chain partners through long-term, trusted relationships that foster resilience and shared growth. Through its origin offices and green coffee trading teams, EFICO works closely with partner farmers, cooperatives, and exporters, providing market access, technical guidance, and sustainability support while maintaining lasting partnerships with partner roasters worldwide.
Complementing its operational sourcing work, the EFICO Foundation supports coffee-producing communities worldwide—structurally supporting coffee farmers and their families while positively impacting livelihoods, prosperity, and the environment.
Purpose-driven local partnerships
EFICO’s sourcing strategy is built on purpose-driven partnerships across the coffee value chain, starting at origin. By collaborating closely with cooperatives, local exporters, and trusted supply partners, EFICO works to ensure a transparent and resilient coffee supply while reinvesting value locally in coffee-producing regions.
In 2025, 85% of EFICO’s coffee continued to be sourced from local actors, reflecting the company’s long-standing commitment to locally rooted supply chains. Within this share, cooperatives represented 23% of total sourcing volumes, while local exporters accounted for 57%, showing a slight shift compared to 2024. International exporters remained stable at 15% for the third consecutive year.
These long-term partnerships support local economies, strengthen farming communities, and reinforce resilience throughout the broader coffee value chain—particularly in times of market volatility and environmental uncertainty.
EFICO’s sourcing offices in Ethiopia, Central America, and Brazil remain central to this strategy. Beyond operational hubs, they serve as centers of adaptive collaboration, connecting EFICO directly to coffee-growing regions. By working closely with partner farmers, cooperatives, and suppliers on the ground, these origin offices help partner farmers navigate fluctuating market conditions, climate challenges, and evolving regulatory requirements, while strengthening relationships with partner roasters worldwide.
Certified, verified vs non-verified coffee
In 2025, EFICO recorded remarkable growth in absolute terms, with certified volumes increasing by 34% compared to last year, while shares among Rainforest Alliance, Fairtrade, and Organic remained stable, reflecting continued commitment to certifications.
Rainforest Alliance held the largest share at 64%, also leading in absolute growth, while Fairtrade and Organic recorded the largest relative growth, recovering from the decline observed in 2024 as premiums increased and market prices remained high.
A shift in origins was observed, with a lower share of Organic and Fairtrade sourced from Central America in favour of Latin America, Africa, and Asia.
However, overall coffee sourcing volumes increased even faster than certified volumes. As a result, the relative share of certified and verified coffee represented 49% of total sourcing—marking the third consecutive year of modest relative decrease.
Despite this shift, EFICO’s sourcing remains above the global market average, as reported by the Global Coffee Platform in 2024, which registered 47% sustainable sourcing under third-party schemes.
These dynamics reflect broader market conditions. During periods of high and volatile coffee prices, certification models can become more complex for both producers and buyers, as certification costs and administrative requirements must be balanced against market opportunities.
Strategic sourcing: key origins
The world map provides a 2025 snapshot of coffee origins, showing the shares of certified, verified, and non-verified coffee. These patterns vary across EFICO’s key coffee-producing regions, reflecting differences in sourcing volumes, certifications, and partnerships.
For a more detailed view, EFICO analysed sourcing data from its major origins—Brazil, Central America, and Ethiopia—and included Uganda as a key Robusta origin without a permanent EFICO office.
Brazil
Brazil remained EFICO’s largest sourcing origin in 2025, accounting for approximately one-third of total sourcing volumes. The country continues to provide high-quality Arabica coffees that form an essential component of both blends and single-origin offerings.
In 2025, 47% of EFICO’s Brazilian sourcing was certified. An additional 17% was verified under EFICO’s internal sustainability standards, including 6% independently verified and 11% aligned with partner-based sustainability systems. This brings the total share meeting certification or verification criteria to 64%.
At the same time, 85% of Brazilian coffee volumes were sourced from local actors, reinforcing EFICO’s long-standing commitment to strong local partnerships.
While certified volumes increased in absolute terms, the relative share of certified coffee declined slightly as conventional volumes expanded more rapidly amid strong market demand.
Central America
Central America remained one of EFICO’s most important regions for certified sourcing in 2025. 66% of coffees sourced from the region were certified, with Rainforest Alliance representing the largest share and showing the strongest growth.
Fairtrade sourcing also showed steady growth during the year, while Organic-certified coffees declined both in absolute volumes and relative share.
This trend reflects a combination of market dynamics and regulatory developments: high and volatile coffee prices influenced producer and buyer decisions, while the increasing complexity of complying with updated EU organic requirements made sourcing fully compliant Organic coffees more challenging in some producing countries.
Across the region, 79% of EFICO’s sourcing came from local actors, reinforcing long-standing partnerships with cooperatives and exporters.
Through the ongoing work of the EFICO Foundation, EFICO supports projects that promote training and education, sustainable income, infrastructure support with the aim of positively impacting coffee farmers’ livelihoods, prosperity, and environment.
Ethiopia
Ethiopia experienced significant growth in sourcing volumes in 2025, with total volumes more than doubling compared to the previous year. While much of this increase occurred in conventional coffees, certified volumes also expanded.
In total, 21% of Ethiopian coffees sourced by EFICO were certified, with an additional 19% meeting EFICO’s internal sustainability standards, bringing the total share aligned with sustainability criteria to 40%.
Local partnerships remain central to EFICO’s sourcing approach in Ethiopia, with 80% of volumes sourced from local actors.
A key partner in this development is KURU, EFICO’s long-standing sourcing partner in Ethiopia, which expanded its operations to eight washing and collecting stations in 2025—four more than in 2024.
This expansion strengthens processing capacity and traceability while reinforcing EFICO’s direct connection to coffee-producing communities.
Uganda
Uganda is included in this 2025 analysis because sourcing volumes from the country have grown significantly, making it a strategic addition to EFICO’s Robusta portfolio.
Within just two years, Uganda has become EFICO’s third-most important origin for Robusta coffee, even though sourcing remains predominantly conventional.
79% of Ugandan volumes were sourced from local actors, highlighting EFICO’s commitment to building sustainable, locally rooted supply relationships, even in regions without a permanent origin office.
EUDR readiness & supplier engagement
In 2025, EFICO continued its efforts to ensure compliance with the EU Deforestation Regulation, despite the late announcement of another one-year delay in its entry into application.
By the end of the year, 93% of geolocation datasets submitted for EUDR contracts were approved according to EFICO’s strictest standards and assessments.
A major step was the launch of EFICO’s supplier portal, improving data collection, traceability, segregation at shipment level, and annual legality reporting, including topics such as human rights and traceability.
Togo field engagement
Togo was selected for focused engagement to support suppliers less familiar with geolocation and traceability requirements.
Since early 2024, EFICO has trained local field teams to collect, harmonise, and validate farmer and plot-level data. Over 2025, nearly 10,000 GPS points were collected.
A second field visit in December 2025 implemented ground truthing procedures to verify deforestation alerts and assess multi-tier supply chains.
Most coffee plots are managed under agroforestry systems. Satellite-based alerts initially identified potential deforestation risks, but field verification ruled out most cases, confirming only a few instances linked to expansion into previously forested land.
Non-compliant plots were segregated within EFICO’s traceability systems, while farmers received training on deforestation prevention and sustainable land-use alternatives.
Coffee futures moved higher, supported by growing concerns over global supply disruptions and tightening inventories. Arabica and robusta contracts both posted gains, with robusta showing stronger momentum.
A key driver behind the price increase is rising tension around the Strait of Hormuz. Reports of shipping disruptions have heightened concerns about global trade flows, leading to increased freight costs, insurance premiums, and fuel expenses. These factors are adding pressure on coffee importers and roasters, contributing to upward price movement.
Robusta prices are receiving additional support from declining exchange inventories, which have dropped to their lowest level in over a year. This signals tighter short-term availability in the market.
However, expectations of a large upcoming harvest in Brazil are limiting stronger price rallies. Several industry forecasts point to a record crop for the 2026/27 season, with projections consistently above 75 million bags. At the same time, estimates suggest a significant global surplus could emerge in 2026, potentially the largest in several years.
Vietnam’s export performance is also weighing on the market, particularly for robusta. Shipments have increased notably in early 2026, following strong export growth in the previous year. Production in Vietnam is also expected to rise, reaching multi-year highs, which could further ease supply constraints.
On the other hand, reduced exports from Brazil are offering some support to prices. Recent data shows a decline in shipments compared to last year, tightening near-term availability in the global market.
Weather conditions in Brazil remain another important factor. Below-average rainfall in key growing regions, particularly Minas Gerais, has raised concerns about crop yields, adding a bullish element to price outlooks.
Looking at the broader picture, global export volumes have shown slight weakness, while production forecasts indicate modest overall growth. Arabica output is expected to decline, while robusta production is projected to increase significantly. Meanwhile, global coffee inventories are forecast to shrink, suggesting that supply pressures may persist despite higher production in some regions.
DMCC announces Cacao Centre to accelerate the global cocoa market projected to reach USD 26.2 billion by 2035
New centre to launch with strategic partners Kumbi Cocoa and Ribezzi Group
DMCC hosts 88 companies active across cocoa trading, chocolate manufacturing and confectionary
Builds on DMCC’s proven agri-food cluster model, expanding into cacao trading, processing and innovation
Integration with DMCC FinX will connect global cocoa trade with access to capital, financing, and wealth structuring through a single platform
DMCC – the leading international business district that drives the flow of global trade through Dubai – has announced its intention to launch a Cacao Centre, a new trade platform designed to establish an integrated cacao trading, processing and innovation ecosystem that will further position Dubai as a global hub for agri commodities trade.
The launch forms part of DMCC’s broader expansion of its agri-food commodities offering, leveraging its proven cluster model that has already reshaped global trade flows in coffee and tea. DMCC currently hosts 88 companies active across cocoa trading, chocolate manufacturing and confectionery. The new Cacao Centre will bring this activity together within a more structured platform spanning the full value chain – from sourcing and processing through to branding, distribution and access to finance.
The Centre will be launched in partnership with Kumbi Cocoa, which is focused on building direct, equitable relationships with farming cooperatives, and Ribezzi Group, a diversified conglomerate headquartered in Dubai, which will lead development and execution. Together, the parties will evaluate the feasibility of establishing integrated infrastructure in Dubai capable of storing, trading and processing cacao beans into semi-finished products such as cocoa liquor, cocoa butter, and cocoa powder. This will ultimately serve global markets while enhancing efficiency, transparency and value creation across the cocoa supply chain.
Building on the success of the DMCC Coffee Centre and DMCC Tea Centre, the new platform reflects a growing shift in global agri commodities, where value creation is increasingly driven by integrated market platforms that combine logistics, processing and access to capital. The Cacao Centre will offer state-of-the-art infrastructure and services, including grading, storage, blending, branding and packaging. These capabilities will be directly linked to trade finance solutions for cocoa boards, cooperatives and farmers through DMCC’s FinX platform, providing critical tools in a market defined by price volatility and liquidity constraints.
Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, DMCC, said: “Cocoa today is not only about production, but about how value is structured, financed and distributed across the supply chain. With the DMCC Cacao Centre, we are building a platform around that reality. By bringing together producers, traders, manufacturers and capital within a single platform, we are creating the conditions for more value to be captured closer to origin while strengthening Dubai’s role as a global hub for agri-commodities trade. This is a natural extension of our cluster model and the next step in positioning Dubai at the centre of global food and commodities flows.”
Kwadwo Boachie-Adjei, Founder and CEO, Kumbi Cocoa, said: “Kumbi Cocoa’s mission has always been to build transparent and equitable supply chains that directly connect farmers with global markets. As a strategic partner to DMCC, we are proud to support the development of infrastructure that benefits growers while delivering high-quality, traceable cocoa to international markets.”
Mauro Ribezzi, Founder, Ribezzi Group, said: “The global cocoa market is evolving rapidly, and this initiative reflects a forward-looking approach to commodity infrastructure. By integrating sourcing, logistics, trading and processing across continents, the Cacao Centre has the potential to become a new benchmark and a catalyst for the industry.”
Globally, the cocoa market was valued at approximately USD 16.6 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 26.2 billion by 2035. At the same time, the premium chocolate segment – driven by single-origin products, artisanal offerings and health-conscious formats – is expected to grow from USD 31.9 billion in 2024 to USD 40.6 billion by 2030.
Dubai’s role in the cocoa trade remains emergent but is supported by clear growth indicators. In 2023, the UAE imported USD 17.3 million in raw cocoa beans and USD 65.3 million in finished chocolate and cocoa products. Exports of raw beans reached USD 16.4 million, positioning the UAE as the 28th-largest exporter globally. While still nascent, these figures reflect accelerating trade flows across both upstream raw materials and downstream finished goods through Dubai.
Structural imbalances continue to define the global cocoa trade, with West African producers accounting for roughly three-quarters of output yet capturing only a fraction of end-market value. The DMCC Cacao Centre is designed to bridge this gap by directly connecting producers with global buyers, capital and value-added services. In parallel, Dubai’s strength in warehousing, blending and structured trade finance will act as a trade stabiliser, supported by investments in temperature-controlled logistics to safeguard quality and reduce loss. This integrated model brings infrastructure, services and capital into a single platform, enabling a more resilient, transparent and inclusive global cocoa trade.
It is no longer a secret that the global coffee sector is facing unprecedented pressures, starting from supply chain challenges and climate volatility in production regions, leading to new regulatory standards imposed by major markets, and other major challenges facing the sector that directly affect both farmers and consumers alike.
In light of these challenges, there is an emergence for the need for dialogue platforms that go beyond the language of numbers to focus on “institutional resilience.” From the heart of Dubai, which has strengthened its position as a logistical and intellectual hub for reshaping modern trade concepts, the “Coffee Break” event launches in its first edition on April 23, 2026.
The event is organized by Mokha 1450, the leading chain in the specialty coffee sector, in cooperation with Modora, to be a platform that brings together a group of creative minds and influential figures in the sector to discuss ways to turn challenges into opportunities, inspired by Dubai’s exceptional experience in crisis management.
This event is not just a social gathering, but a professional necessity in the context of “change management,” where expertise from private sector leaders meets with pioneers of specialty coffee culture to discuss the pressing question: How can Dubai’s model of resilience in the face of global crises inspire those active in the coffee industry to move beyond the “crisis response” stage to the “anticipating change” stage?
Speakers List
The session, held at Modora Home in Al Barsha, includes a distinguished list of speakers who combine deep corporate experience with specialized practical knowledge in the coffee world:
Abdulla Al Shaibani: Group CEO of Axeed LLC, who will present a strategic vision on leadership in times of change.
Garfield Kerr: CEO of Mokha 1450 and Former President of the Specialty Coffee Association, highlighting industry developments globally.
Khalid Al Mulla: CEO of Dubai Coffee Museum, who will connect the present with the historical and cultural roots of the profession.
Jennifer Pettinger-Haines: Founder and CEO of The GRIF Collective.
Paul Clifford: Editorial Leader and industry commentator.
The dialogue will be moderated by broadcaster and entrepreneur Zeena Zalamea, to ensure the creation of “real conversations and genuine connections” that move beyond traditional networking toward building shared visions.
Coffee as a Catalyst for Change
The organizers believe that coffee is not just a beverage, but a historical catalyst for new ideas. The forum will tackle a core question: How does Dubai’s strong record of successfully managing global crises inform our approach to overcoming current challenges?
Event Details
Date: April 23, 2026
Time: 3:00 PM
Location: Modora Home, Umm Suqeim St – Al Barsha Second, Dubai.
UAE-based coffee company Coffee Planet is planning further expansion across the GCC and selected international markets as it marks 20 years of operations in the region.
The company, which began in 2005 supplying coffee to petrol station convenience stores in the UAE, has since expanded into retail, hospitality, and corporate channels. A roasting facility established in Dubai in 2008 supported its early growth and helped broaden its distribution capabilities.
Coffee Planet now operates across roasting, distribution, retail, and technical services. Its production is based in the UAE, which the company says supports its supply chain and operational flexibility as demand grows.
The company reports it supplies coffee to a wide range of sectors, including hospitality, corporate clients, public sector entities, travel, and retail. It states that its products are used by a significant share of higher-end hotels in the UAE, alongside a wider network of business customers and retail partners.
Over the past decade, Coffee Planet reports a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.7%, with revenue increasing by 19% in 2025. It says it now serves more than 1,000 business-to-business clients and distributes over 21 million cups of coffee per month across the GCC.
“Allan Jones, Founder & Chairman, said the company has focused on building long-term partnerships and consistent service delivery. He also noted a broader regional shift towards locally based operations, which he said supports responsiveness and scale.”
The company operates a roasting facility in Jebel Ali with an annual capacity of around 5,000 tonnes and a site area of approximately 26,000 sq. ft. It produces a range of coffee products and operates an in-house laboratory for quality control and product development.
Coffee Planet estimates its facility produces more than 450 stock-keeping units (SKUs) per month across its proprietary and private label ranges. It also states that local production has helped reduce reliance on imports and improve supply continuity.
Looking ahead, the company expects roasting volumes to grow by 25–30% in 2026. Planned expansion includes new roasting operations in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, as well as further growth in existing and new markets including the GCC, UK, Egypt, Pakistan, Seychelles, and Singapore.
In addition to its roasting operations, Coffee Planet provides equipment management and technical services, overseeing more than 8,000 coffee machines in the UAE and handling over 2,000 service calls per month, according to the company.
As part of its leadership update, Founder and Chairman Allan Jones will assume the additional role of Chief Executive Officer. The company said the change is intended to align strategic direction with day-to-day operations as it enters its next phase of expansion.
About Coffee Planet
Founded in Dubai in 2005, Coffee Planet is a coffee company operating across roasting, distribution, retail, and related services. It serves business and consumer markets across the GCC and selected international locations, with a portfolio that includes private label production, café operations, and technical support services.
A specialty coffee concept in Roatán, Honduras, known as Spirit Origin Coffee, has been included in the 2026 list of the Top 100 Coffee Shops across North America, Central America, and the Caribbean. The selection process evaluated thousands of coffee shops using a mix of expert assessment and public participation.
Located on the island of Roatán, the concept goes beyond the traditional café model by focusing on coffee experiences at the place of production. Its signature offering is a curated “coffee omakase” session, where small groups of guests are guided through a multi-step tasting of different coffee preparations, often paired with food, in an intimate setting overlooking the Caribbean Sea. Each session is designed to highlight the origin, processing, and characteristics of Honduran coffee.
A key aspect of the project is its emphasis on serving coffee at the source rather than exporting all value-added stages abroad. The experience features Honduran specialty lots, including coffees that have received recognition in quality competitions such as Cup of Excellence, presented directly in the environment where they are grown and processed.
According to the founder, the initiative reflects a shift in how coffee-producing regions can retain more value locally while offering visitors a deeper connection to the product and its origins. The recognition places Roatán on the broader specialty coffee map alongside established destinations in the region.
Beyond its on-site tasting program, the company also distributes freshly roasted coffee internationally, shipping to customers in numerous countries and expanding access to coffee roasted at origin.
As global interest in immersive travel experiences continues to grow, the project positions itself at the intersection of specialty coffee, hospitality, and origin-based tourism, offering visitors a closer look at the journey from farm to cup.
