The Middle East is witnessing a rapid transformation in its coffee industry, underpinned by a deep-rooted coffee culture and accelerating demand across both traditional and modern formats.
The region, historically associated with qahwa (Arabic coffee), is now one of the fastest growing markets globally for premium and speciality coffee. According to Mordor Intelligence, the Middle East and Africa coffee markets are projected to grow at a CAGR of +7% between 2024 and 2029, driven by shifting consumer preferences and increasing urbanization.
Countries such as the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Qatar are leading this growth. The UAE alone has over 4,000 coffee related outlets, while Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 includes direct investment in local coffee farming and roasting as means to diversify the economy.
Changing tastes
Consumers in the middle east are becoming more discerning, increasingly demanding traceability, ethical sourcing and new product formats and portfolios – from cold brew, ready-to-drink to functional blends infused with adaptogens and botanicals. Think cardamom-infused brews, date-sweetened elixirs or saffron botanicals paired with natural caffeine, alongside health focused functional coffees blending natural botanicals with ginger, moringa or hibiscus.
A strategic inflection point
For Finlays, this is more than just a trend – it’s a strategic inflection point for innovation, collaboration and sustainable growth. With over 250 years of experience in natural beverages and a robust global supply chain with expertise across multiple origins and extract facilities, Finlays is uniquely positioned to support and collaborate with Middle East brands, retailers and manufacturers in developing high-quality differentiated coffee products.
