World of Coffee Dubai 2026 concludes with strong focus on trade and professional development

Sports & Championship

World of Coffee Dubai 2026 concludes with strong focus on trade and professional development

World of Coffee Dubai 2026 concludes today at the Dubai World Trade Centre, marking the successful fifth edition of the event with a strong emphasis on trade engagement, origin dialogue, and professional learning across the global specialty coffee sector.

Organised by DXB LIVE, the integrated event management and experiential agency of Dubai World Trade Centre, in collaboration with the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA), the event reinforced its role as a working platform for producers, roasters, buyers, and suppliers. The exhibition recorded a 30 per cent increase in visitor attendance compared to the previous edition, with sustained activity across Za’abeel Halls 1, 4, 5, and 6.

Day Two was highlighted by the World Class Auction, part of the Dubai Coffee Auction programme organised by DXB LIVE in collaboration with DMCC and curated with M-Cultivo. The live auction format allowed buyers to assess coffees through structured cupping sessions before participating in real-time bidding, supporting transparent price discovery based on quality and origin. The highest bid reached $3,075 per kilogram (over AED 13,000) for a Natural Geisha coffee, underscoring continued demand for premium and traceable lots.

The Producer Panel brought together origin representatives and industry stakeholders to discuss market access, sustainability priorities, and evolving producer–buyer relationships. Discussions focused on how producing countries are adapting to shifting consumer expectations and the growing importance of transparency and long-term partnerships within the specialty coffee value chain.

Competitive events also advanced, with the Roasting Championship entering a key technical stage as competitors submitted detailed roast plans outlining profiling strategies and quality objectives. Activity continued in the Cezve/Ibrik Championships 2026, celebrating traditional brewing methods within a modern specialty coffee framework.

Exhibitors reported strong commercial outcomes, with both long-standing and first-time participants citing valuable business leads and engagement. Organisers noted that the programme was designed to deliver practical trade outcomes, quality evaluation, and industry knowledge exchange.

World of Coffee Dubai 2026 concludes this evening with the Exhibitors’ Coffee Auction, championship results announcements, award presentations, and the final round of educational sessions, bringing the five-day industry gathering to a close.