World of Coffee Dubai 2026 is set to showcase its most extensive and internationally diverse lineup yet, with organizers announcing a historic participation of 76 producers for this fifth iteration of the event. This three-day exhibition is scheduled for January 18 to 20, 2026, at the Dubai World Trade Centre. Coordinated by DXB LIVE, the event management agency of the Dubai World Trade Centre, in partnership with the Specialty Coffee Association, this gathering further cements Dubai’s status as a key player in the specialty coffee sectors of the Middle East and North Africa.

The upcoming edition will feature eight national pavilions, representing countries such as Ethiopia, India, Saudi Arabia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Panama, and Brazil. For the first time, Kenya and Peru will join the event, while returning participants like Colombia, Guatemala, Indonesia, Mexico, and Rwanda are expected with larger contingents.

A significant attraction of the exhibition will be the Producers Village, a specialized area created to establish direct connections between farmers, buyers, roasters, and importers. This section will include fourteen curated zones, presenting a diverse range of terroirs, processing methods, and production techniques from across the coffee-growing regions worldwide. Selected producers will also take part in three daily coffee auctions, allowing buyers to access unique micro-lots and experimental coffees that have not previously been offered in the regional market.

Additionally, numerous national coffee boards and export organizations will participate, including the Brazilian Specialty Coffee Association, the Costa Rican Coffee Institute, and the Ethiopian Coffee and Tea Authority, among others. Export patterns from key producing nations highlight the increasing significance of Middle Eastern markets. Notably, Kenya experienced a 12 percent rise in coffee export volumes in 2024, while Ethiopia generated an impressive US$2.65 billion in coffee export revenues for the 2024-2025 fiscal year. Africa, in general, noted an 8 percent year-on-year increase in coffee exports by late 2024, showcasing the growing global interest in specialty-grade coffees.

Shouq Bin Redha, Exhibition Manager for World of Coffee Dubai, commented that this year’s substantial and varied participation signifies a pivotal change within the global coffee industry, indicating that producers are increasingly viewing the Middle East as a vital market. Khalid Al Mulla, CEO of the UAE Chapter of the Specialty Coffee Association, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that the local specialty coffee community is becoming more quality-focused and engaged with their origins. The expanded participation and record attendance emphasize Dubai’s rising importance within the global specialty coffee landscape and its role as a pivotal meeting point for producers, buyers, and roasters.