Coffee & Cocoa Import/Export Market Research in South America (Colombia, Brazil and Venezuela) and UAE

Cultural shifts across the Middle East have seen a massive rise in coffee consumption, with sales growing at twice the global average. Over 2.25 billion cups of coffee are consumed globally every day, while the global market value of the beverage is expected to see an annual growth rate of 5.5%.

Columbia, Brazil, and Venezuela have traditionally been exporters of coffee, with green coffee beans accounting for the major share. Although these countries export different types of coffee, they compete in the international market because green coffee beans are the raw material for big roasters and MNCs in consumer markets. Coffee prices have high volatility. In June 2021, they recorded the eighth consecutive month of increase, triggered by the expectations of reduced supply from some origins in addition to disruptions in trade flows. The research showed that it would be best to import green coffee to the UAE market.

In the UAE, the coffee culture is decently developed and dominates most of the Middle East region. Coffee is an essential component in the social gatherings for welcoming the guests and is offered with fruits or dates.

The demand for coffee in the UAE today has also been characterized by an increased appreciation for specific brands of coffee, such as single-origin and Arabica coffee. Lately, some initiatives have been taken to position UAE as a major Middle Eastern hub for coffee trading. Thus, these factors will be driving the market growth in the upcoming years. Today, the UAE is one of the most developed coffee shop markets in the Middle East, with Dubai a focal point for the region’s coffee innovation. According to the analysis of the coffee market, there is vast growth potential in UAE. The UAE coffee chain market is dominated by international brands operating through the franchise model. Along with organized chains, there are a number of local independent specialty coffee shops operating in the space. These chains compete on geographic coverage, price, quality of food and Latin America supplies 24% of regional coffee demand. There is untapped potential as coffee consumption in the region is expected to see strong growth due to changing consumer preferences and identified Brazil, Colombia, Peru, and Central America as key markets that can help meet this growing demand.

Dubai offers a strong value proposition and vast competitive advantages to Latin American coffee exporters, such as its strategic geographic position providing easy access to markets across the GCC, Middle East, Africa, and Asia, 100% foreign ownership, ease of doing business, investment incentives and world-class facilities such as the DMCC Coffee Centre.

The United Arab Emirates, being a largely unorganized and fragmented chocolate market, is offering immense opportunities for growth to domestic and international chocolate players.