Five trends to dominate the UAE coffee landscape

The branded coffee shop market segment in the Middle East is set to reach 11,840 outlets in 2027, at a growth rate of 5.9%, estimates the World Coffee Portal.

Closer to home, in the UAE there has been a significant rise in per capita coffee consumption. If anything, key industry trends indicate that the UAE’s coffee landscape is set to become even more dynamic and progressive, driven by a commitment to offer premium experiences that cater to consumers’ evolving tastes.

In an exclusive interview with IMAGES RetailME Sara Yousef, Lavazza’s Marketing Manager for the Middle East and Africa, shared trends expected to dominate the UAE’s coffee landscape.

Premiumness: Coffee consumers in the UAE are becoming more and more demanding. Quality is key for them, and we expect this to play a major role in the 2024 coffee scenario. A strong trend of premiumisation will keep spreading across the region with a stronger focus on product quality pairing with higher expectations of consumers.

Professional approach to coffee preparation: Coffee lovers have always been interested in improving their skills, and we expect this trend to grow further in 2024 in the UAE. Driven by their passion on the one side and the quest for high-level coffee experiences, consumers will test themselves with professional preparation methods at home to replicate the unique moment of pleasure they can enjoy at cafés and restaurants. Their wider knowledge about the product and its features will let them feel like a barista in the comfort of their home.

Unique consumption habits: UAE residents are embracing a diverse range of coffee experiences, from traditional Arabic coffee to innovative speciality drinks. Mobile coffee trucks, pop-up cafés and coffee subscription services are gaining popularity, giving coffee lovers unique ways to enjoy their brews.

Cultural fusion: Thecoffee culture in the UAE is blending with global influences, creating exciting fusion trends. Arabic-style coffee shops are experimenting with international flavours, while international chains are incorporating local ingredients into their offerings, resulting in exciting fusion of flavours.

Blending with gastronomy: Creativity and vision allow the exploration of the lesser-known aspects of coffee, giving rise to opportunities for fresh ways of use and experimenting with new applications. This fusion between coffee and gastronomy is expected to grow in the region, bringing consumers into a peerless taste journey where coffee is celebrated as a creative element for innovation or as the key ingredient in gourmet recipes.