Category: News

The Specialty Coffee Association UAE (SCA UAE) has unveiled an exciting lineup of events for World of Coffee Dubai 2025, set to take place at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) from 10–12 February 2025. This year’s event promises to be a landmark occasion for the UAE coffee community, featuring both the first-ever UAE National Roasting Championship in the MENA region and the much-anticipated UAE National Barista & Latte Art Championships.

Introducing the UAE National Roasting Championship

In a groundbreaking move, SCA UAE has announced the debut of the UAE National Roasting Championship, the first competition of its kind in the MENA region. This event will shine a spotlight on the skill and precision of coffee roasting, bringing roasters from across the UAE together to compete on a national stage.

Key Details for Competitors:

• Eligibility: Competitors must be UAE residents for at least two years and hold a valid UAE residence visa.
• Membership Requirement: Individual SCA Membership is mandatory (register at sca.coffee/membership/become-a-member).
• Registration Fee: AED 1500.
• Registration will open soon—stay tuned for further updates!

For additional information, participants can contact [email protected].

UAE National Barista & Latte Art Championships

Adding to the excitement, SCA UAE has officially announced the competitors for the 2025 UAE National Barista Championship, which will be held alongside the Latte Art Championship at World of Coffee Dubai. This year’s lineup features nine talented baristas, each representing the finest coffee establishments in the UAE:

1. Hibatul Wafi – Settle Down
2. Hootan Salemi – The QC
3. Hadjia Kulaba – Meowtropolis Cat Café
4. Kemal Risyad – Archers Coffee
5. Aldy Nugroho – The Espresso Lab
6. Nooran Albannay – Coffee Architecture
7. Lablilell Bajarias – Heirloom
8. Sunny Kumar – Individual
9. Hasanga Lakshan – L’Eto

The UAE National Barista and Latte Art Championships will provide a thrilling showcase of technical expertise, creativity, and passion, as competitors vie for the coveted titles.

Join the Celebration

SCA UAE invites coffee professionals and enthusiasts from across the region to be part of these exciting events. World of Coffee Dubai 2025 will not only feature these competitions but also serve as a hub for coffee innovation, networking, and industry growth. Visitors can register and secure their badges by visiting the official World of Coffee Dubai website.

Whether you’re a competitor, a coffee lover, or a professional in the industry, World of Coffee Dubai 2025 is set to be an unmissable celebration of coffee culture and excellence. Mark your calendars for 10–12 February 2025 and get ready to experience the best of what the UAE coffee community has to offer!

Starting January 1, 2025, Russia will implement increased import duties on goods imported from countries deemed unfriendly. The updated list includes roasted and instant coffee, meat and fish products, confectionery, pasta, sauces, non-alcoholic beverages, and other processed foods. The duty increase on coffee is particularly significant, with rates rising from the current 8% and 7.5% to 13% and 17.5%, respectively, which could substantially affect coffee prices in Russian stores.

Among other categories, beer and cider see the most dramatic changes, with import duties increasing from a symbolic €0.1 to €1 per liter—a tenfold rise. Additionally, canned vegetables, fruits, nuts, perfumery and cosmetic products, and household chemicals are also subject to higher duties. On average, duty rates will increase by 10 percentage points, reaching between 20% and 50%, depending on the product category.

The Russian Ministry of Economic Development stated that this decision was made as part of a systematic response to sanctions imposed on Russia. The increased duties aim to encourage import substitution, attract investment, and stimulate the development of domestic production. Ministry officials emphasized that imports from friendly and neutral countries would continue under standard tariffs, ensuring market competition and a wide range of products.

Higher import duties were first introduced under Government Resolution No. 2240 in 2022. Initially, the list included weapons, perfumery, wine, beer, and construction materials. Over time, the list expanded to include batteries and confectionery. In December 2024, the resolution was extended until the end of 2025, with additional products added to the list of goods subject to increased duties.

The decision to increase coffee duties is particularly significant for the Russian market. While coffee is not grown domestically, the country has significant potential to develop local roasting and processing industries. In recent years, the number of specialized coffee roasting facilities has grown, creating opportunities for high-quality production. However, the sector remains dependent on imported raw materials from countries like Brazil, Vietnam, and Colombia.

Experts note that the impact of the new duties on coffee prices will largely depend on global price trends. In recent years, coffee bean prices have shown significant fluctuations, already affecting beverage costs. If global prices decrease, retailers may offset the increased duties with more favorable procurement costs. However, if raw material prices remain high or rise further, an increase in coffee prices in Russia will be inevitable, especially for premium varieties.

The higher duties raise questions about whether Russian businesses can effectively substitute imports and create competitive products. The successful development of local brands and high-quality coffee production could help minimize the impact on consumers. At the same time, the sharp rise in the cost of imported goods, particularly in the premium segment, may present new challenges for both retailers and consumers. While the government’s decision aims to support the domestic market, it represents a critical test for the Russian economy as a whole.

Under the title “Yemen: Coffee Cultivation Replacing Qat – A Dream Amid Challenges”, the renowned German platform Deutsche Welle published an in-depth report by journalist Qanaf Al-Saqatari. The report explores the notable shift in Yemen, where farmers are increasingly transitioning from cultivating qat to growing coffee. This transformation, while promising, faces numerous challenges.

The report highlights inspiring stories of Yemeni farmers who have undertaken the bold step of uprooting qat plants to replace them with coffee trees. Among these is Ahmed Abdullah, a farmer from Amran Governorate, who shares his journey: “My father and I uprooted more than 2,000 qat trees and replaced them with coffee plants.” Ahmed describes the decision not only as economically beneficial but also as an effort to preserve what he calls “the blessed tree.” Despite the absence of governmental support, Ahmed asserts that their experiment has been a 100% success, achieving self-sufficiency through perseverance and determination.

Reviving Yemen’s Coffee Legacy

Yemen holds a historically significant position in the coffee world, being one of the oldest producers of high-quality coffee. The famous Mocha coffee owes its name to the Yemeni port of Al-Mokha, which once served as a central hub for global coffee exports. However, over the past decades, qat cultivation has overshadowed coffee farming, consuming vast agricultural lands. Today, many Yemeni farmers are revisiting this legacy, driven by cultural pride and the desire to restore Yemen’s coffee heritage.

Limited Support Amid Significant Challenges

Despite the growing interest in coffee farming, numerous obstacles hinder progress. Water scarcity remains the most pressing issue, exacerbated by the lack of infrastructure such as rainwater storage tanks. Ahmed Abdullah highlights another challenge: imported coffee being re-exported under the label of Yemeni coffee, which harms both local farmers and the national economy.

Nevertheless, coffee cultivation is increasingly seen as a viable alternative to qat farming. Yemen’s Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation has distributed millions of coffee seedlings in recent years to expand the cultivation area. Additionally, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) launched a project to support the shift “from qat to coffee,” emphasizing that coffee requires less water compared to qat, making it a sustainable choice amid Yemen’s water crisis.

Inspiring Farmer Stories and Agricultural Renewal

The experiences of Yemeni farmers reflect a strong determination to make this vision a reality. Taha Ahmed, a 50-year-old farmer from Ibb Governorate, renewed his coffee plantation by replacing aging coffee trees with improved seedlings. He notes that coffee farming requires fertile soil and sufficient water, making careful planning essential for its expansion.

Ahmed Abdullah, meanwhile, urges other farmers to embrace coffee cultivation, stating: “This tree is our pride. By cultivating it, we can safeguard ourselves from poverty, revive the glory of our ancestors, and achieve self-sufficiency.”

International Efforts Toward Sustainability

The UNDP has been analyzing the value chain of qat and coffee farming to provide recommendations for enhancing the coffee value chain and offering alternative livelihoods to Yemeni farmers. According to the program’s studies, qat farming consumes 40% of Yemen’s water resources and occupies 15% of its agricultural land, severely impacting sustainable farming. In contrast, coffee farming uses fewer resources and offers a more sustainable economic alternative.

A Dream on the Horizon

Despite the difficulties, experts and farmers alike agree that coffee cultivation has the potential to become a sustainable economic alternative in Yemen. Greater governmental support and the introduction of modern agricultural tools and techniques are essential to overcoming the challenges. As efforts persist, Yemenis are steadily advancing toward reviving their agricultural legacy, with hopes of restoring Yemen’s prominence as a global coffee producer.

A groundbreaking milestone in agricultural trade has been achieved with Agridex, a real-world asset tokenization platform built on the Solana blockchain, completing its first coffee transaction. The deal was executed by the UK-based coffee brand Tiki Tonga Coffee, which exported premium coffee to South Africa. Payments were made in South African Rand, with settlements completed in British Pounds using the blockchain. According to the company, transaction fees were as low as 0.5%, significantly lower than the conventional rates of 5% to 7%, and the settlement was instantaneous, compared to the traditional timeframe of 5 to 12 days.

Brad Barrett, the founder of Tiki Tonga Coffee, highlighted that the transaction not only reduced costs substantially but also simplified the administrative burden associated with documentation and compliance, showcasing the efficiency of blockchain-powered trade. This breakthrough marks a significant step forward in modernizing agricultural transactions.

Beyond coffee, Agridex provides instant settlement solutions for a variety of agricultural commodities, including livestock, wine, and olive oil. The platform reported managing transactions valued at $4.5 billion in collaboration with global agricultural partners. Recently, Agridex raised $9 million in a funding round supported by prominent firms such as Citadel, Goldman Sachs, and Palantir, bolstering its presence in the growing market of agricultural asset tokenization.

Experts regard real-world asset tokenization as a revolutionary application of blockchain technology. By converting assets like crops, farmland, and carbon credits into digital tokens, the process makes these assets more accessible to a broader audience, reduces investment barriers, and enables more cost-effective transactions. John Trask, CEO of agricultural technology company Dimitra, emphasized that this approach addresses key challenges in agriculture, such as inefficiencies, supply chain opacity, and environmental degradation, while driving sustainability and operational improvements.

Henry Duckworth, co-founder of Agridex, further noted that blockchain empowers farmers to sell their products directly to buyers without relying on costly intermediaries, unlocking new opportunities for growth and profitability.

From an economic perspective, agriculture contributes 5.5% to the United States GDP, with the total value of U.S. farmland surpassing $3 trillion, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis. As market analysts predict the tokenized asset market to reach trillions of dollars by 2030, blockchain technology is set to play a pivotal role in reshaping global trade, providing unprecedented investment opportunities and operational efficiencies for the agricultural sector.

The global coffee equipment market is undergoing a significant transformation as Chinese manufacturers emerge as strong competitors to long-established Western and Japanese brands. Thanks to advanced technologies, competitive pricing, and highly developed manufacturing processes, Chinese companies are reshaping the perception of “Made in China” in the coffee equipment industry.

For years, “Made in China” was often associated with low-cost production and modest quality. However, it now stands as a symbol of innovation and high standards.

Leading brands like Timemore and Anysort are spearheading this transformation in the coffee equipment sector, offering a variety of advanced products. These include elegant manual grinders and AI-powered optical sorting machines, all at prices significantly lower than their Western counterparts. For instance, high-tech optical devices that typically sell for over $60,000 from European companies are now available for around $10,000 from Chinese manufacturers. This price difference, achieved through China’s efficient manufacturing systems, does not come at the expense of performance or reliability.

European, American, and Japanese brands have historically dominated the coffee equipment market, recognized for their premium quality and high prices. Brands like Mahlkönig, La Marzocco, and Diedrich are synonymous with craftsmanship and customer loyalty.

In contrast, Chinese products were traditionally seen as lower-quality alternatives. However, this perception is rapidly changing. Chinese manufacturers have invested heavily in research and development, innovative design, and meticulous production techniques. As a result, they now produce equipment that matches—and sometimes exceeds—the quality of established brands. For example, Timemore’s sleek grinders and precision kettles have garnered global recognition, while Anysort has made advanced technology accessible to a broader audience with its affordable pricing.

A Revolution in Coffee Technology

China’s rise in the coffee equipment market is part of a broader trend of its brands excelling in industries like electronics, automobiles, and now coffee. These brands consistently demonstrate their ability to deliver innovative, high-quality products at competitive prices.

In 2023 alone, China exported 95.5 million coffee machines worth $2.1 billion, according to the General Administration of Customs of China. These exports covered a wide range of equipment, from drip coffee makers to advanced espresso systems, reflecting China’s growing impact on the industry.

The competitive pricing of Chinese coffee equipment has expanded access to advanced technologies, benefiting a wider range of users. Specialty cafes, small-scale farmers, and emerging markets can now afford tools that were previously out of reach financially.

For instance, affordable optical sorting devices help producers in regions like Africa and Latin America enhance the quality of their beans, allowing them to fetch higher prices and compete in premium markets. Similarly, small cafes can now invest in reliable grinders and brewing equipment without exceeding their budgets, enabling them to focus on other aspects of their operations.

The rise of Chinese coffee equipment poses a significant challenge to traditional brands. With comparable quality at lower prices, Chinese manufacturers are compelling established companies to innovate, reduce costs, and enhance their offerings.

Although traditional brands still hold a prestigious reputation, Chinese companies are rapidly closing the gap. They are doing so by improving their designs, adopting cutting-edge technologies, and strategically expanding into new markets. This shift highlights China’s ability to penetrate and reshape niche markets historically dominated by well-established players.

The success of Chinese coffee equipment represents more than just a change in manufacturing trends; it marks a new chapter for the global coffee industry. By combining quality, innovation, and affordability, Chinese brands are redefining the market.

As competition grows, coffee professionals and businesses worldwide will benefit from a broader range of options and more competitive pricing. For traditional manufacturers, this evolution underscores the necessity of adapting to the rapidly changing landscape—or risking obsolescence.

Ultimately, the rise of Chinese coffee equipment symbolizes a pivotal moment for the coffee world, where excellence, innovation, and accessibility converge to reshape the industry.

Dubai – Qahwa World

According to the latest bi-annual report on coffee markets and trade published by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) and endorsed by the World Agricultural Outlook Board, China’s coffee consumption is experiencing unprecedented growth.

The country’s consumption is expected to reach 6.3 million bags in 2024, making China the world’s sixth-largest coffee consumer. Over the last decade, coffee consumption in China has risen by nearly 150%, growing from just over 2 million bags in the early 2010s to more than 6 million bags today.

Despite tea remaining the dominant beverage in China, coffee is steadily gaining popularity, especially among younger urban professionals who increasingly prefer to buy coffee outside their homes.

Major cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen continue to lead the market, but smaller cities like Chengdu, Hangzhou, Suzhou, and Chongqing are emerging as growing hubs for coffee retailers.

Initially dominated by international coffee chains after trade liberalization in the early 2000s, China’s coffee retail landscape has recently seen significant growth from domestic chains.

This expansion has been facilitated by online purchasing options, including in-store pickup and delivery services, which have helped reduce costs and increase accessibility, further stimulating consumption.

Consumers are also transitioning from imported soluble coffee to locally roasted coffee identified by its domestic or imported origin.

Coffee Production in China

China ranks as the world’s 13th largest coffee producer, with an estimated harvest of 1.8 million bags in the 2024/25 season, expected to rise to 1.9 million bags the following year.

Coffee production in China is concentrated in Yunnan Province, particularly in the prefectures of Baoshan, Dehong, Pu’er, and Lincang. These regions, situated at altitudes of 1,000 to 2,000 meters above sea level, grow predominantly Arabica coffee.

Catimor remains the most commonly cultivated variety due to its resilience against diseases like leaf rust, although it is sometimes criticized for its inferior flavor.

To meet rising demand for premium coffee, Chinese growers are increasingly planting other Arabica varieties such as Bourbon and Typica, which offer superior taste profiles and better compete with imports.

Coffee Imports and Trade Trends

China’s coffee imports have nearly tripled in the past decade, growing from 900,000 bags in 2014/15 to a forecasted 5.6 million bags in 2024/25. This surge has been primarily driven by green coffee imports, which have increased to an estimated 3.6 million bags. Brazil and Colombia have emerged as leading suppliers, overtaking Vietnam and Indonesia.

Meanwhile, imports of soluble coffee have remained stable at approximately 1.8 million bags, with Vietnam and Malaysia being the primary sources. The country also imports less than 400,000 bags of roasted coffee, mainly from the European Union and the United States.

Changing Consumer Preferences

The shift in consumer behavior towards coffee in China can be attributed to changing lifestyles, especially among younger generations.

The trend is further supported by innovations in retail, including digital platforms for online orders, which have made coffee more affordable and accessible.

As the coffee market in China continues to expand, the country’s role in the global coffee industry is poised to become increasingly significant.