World of Coffee Dubai 2027 to bring global specialty coffee industry together in January

World of Coffee Dubai will return to the Dubai World Trade Centre from January 26 to 28, 2027, bringing together producers, roasters, equipment manufacturers, importers, distributors and coffee businesses for its sixth edition.

Organised by DXB LIVE, the integrated event management agency of Dubai World Trade Centre, in partnership with the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA), the exhibition will take place under the theme 'The Center of Specialty'.

The event aims to connect different stages of the specialty coffee supply chain, from growers and roasters to café owners and baristas, providing a platform for business, networking and knowledge exchange.

Dubai's location between major coffee-producing countries, including Ethiopia and Kenya, and growing consumer markets in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and South Asia makes it a strategic meeting point for the industry.

Specialty coffee market drives industry growth

The exhibition comes as demand for specialty coffee continues to expand across the region.

According to Mordor Intelligence projections cited by the organisers, the specialty coffee market across the Middle East and Africa, including Turkey and South Africa, is expected to grow by 9.05% annually through 2031, outpacing conventional coffee.

Production is also expected to increase in key origins. The US Department of Agriculture forecasts that Ethiopia's coffee harvest will reach a record 12.1 million bags in the 2026/27 season.

Exhibitor commitments for the 2027 edition point to increased regional and international participation. Saudi companies have doubled their exhibition space compared with 2026, while African participation has also increased by 100%.

Producing countries expected to be represented include Ethiopia, Brazil, Costa Rica, Panama and Peru.

New exhibitors and industry brands

Italian espresso machine manufacturer CMA is among the new exhibitors confirmed for 2027. The company produces traditional and super-automatic espresso machines at its facility in Susegana, Treviso.

Other confirmed exhibitors include Probat, Simonelli Group, Saudi roastery Dapilio, Gold Food, Alfanoos and Wendougee.

The 2026 edition attracted more than 20,000 trade visits and over 2,100 brands from 80 countries. It featured nine national pavilions, while 70% of participants reported generating qualified leads, according to the organisers.

Competitions, product awards and industry discussions

The 2027 exhibition will feature several areas covering different aspects of the coffee supply chain:

• Origin: The Producer Village and Cupping Room will allow visitors to taste and compare coffees from producing countries.

• Craft: The Roaster Village and Brew Bar will showcase roasting and brewing techniques. The SCA UAE National Championships will also feature regional baristas and roasters.

• Innovation: The Coffee Design Award and Best New Product Award will recognise products and technologies shaping the industry.

• Knowledge: The Unfiltered Stage will host discussions on coffee science, technology, sustainability, sourcing and market developments, alongside SCA training sessions and workshops.

Beyond the exhibition, the SCA Community Lounge will provide a meeting point for industry professionals, while the Café Network will connect UAE café operators with roasters, suppliers and international counterparts throughout the year.

Yannis Apostolopoulos, Chief Executive Officer of the Specialty Coffee Association, said the event reflected the region's growing influence in the global specialty coffee industry, supported by changing consumer preferences and stronger links with producing countries.

He said the partnership with DXB LIVE would continue to support industry networking, knowledge exchange and the long-term development of the regional specialty coffee sector.

Khalid Al Hammadi, Executive Vice President of DXB LIVE, said the event would bring together key participants from across the supply chain, allowing businesses to establish connections and explore opportunities within three days.

Khalid Al Mulla, Chief Executive Officer of the SCA UAE Chapter, said the region's specialty coffee industry was developing its own identity, supported by stronger skills, increasingly informed consumers and a growing community focused on quality.