In a significant show of support for the UAE’s burgeoning hospitality and trade sectors, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, visited the fifth edition of World of Coffee (WOC) Dubai 2026 this Monday. The visit at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) comes as the event reaches its largest scale to date, solidifying the emirate's position as the primary "meeting point" for the global specialty coffee industry.

Accompanied by H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and H.H. Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Ruler of Dubai toured several international pavilions. During the tour, H.H. Sheikh Mohammed was briefed on the event's massive economic footprint, which now spans over 20,000 square meters and hosts 2,100 exhibiting companies from 78 countries.

The visit highlighted the staggering economic value of the coffee sector. Officials apprised His Highness on projections from Statista, which estimate global coffee revenue will approach $495.70 billion in 2026. Within this massive value chain, Dubai has positioned itself as more than just a consumer; it is a critical logistics and tech hub that connects cultivation and production in the "coffee belt" with distribution and manufacturing in the West and East.

Sheikh Mohammed was briefed by Helal Saeed Almarri, Director General of the DWTC Authority, on how the exhibition has matured into a common umbrella for diverse stakeholders. For the tech and aviation sectors, this growth is reflected in the increased demand for specialized cargo handling and the integration of automated brewing and roasting technologies showcased across the four halls of the Za’abeel pavilions.

During the briefing, Khalid Al Hammadi, Senior Vice President of DXB LIVE, detailed the exhibition’s five-year evolution from a regional platform to a world-class trade powerhouse. The Ruler viewed a variety of exhibits that cover the entire lifecycle of the bean—from sustainable farming practices in Ethiopia and Brazil to the high-tech espresso machinery developed in Italy and the UAE.

This focus on the "complete value chain" is particularly relevant to your readers in the hospitality and travel sectors. As Dubai continues to host over 4,000 specialty coffee shops, the exhibition provides the essential infrastructure—including live auctions and educational workshops—that allows local hotels and cafés to lead the "premiumization" trend, offering tourists and residents world-class sensory experiences.

The 2026 edition reflects a "fundamental shift" in global trade routes. With a record 76 producers in the Producers Village and three live daily auctions, Dubai is now actively reshaping how coffee is traded. Producers from Africa, Latin America, and Asia are increasingly bypassing traditional European hubs to engage directly with Middle Eastern buyers in Dubai.

As the exhibition continues until January 20, the presence of UAE leadership reinforces a clear message: Dubai is not just a destination for coffee lovers, but a strategic powerhouse driving the future of a global industry. For the aviation and logistics sectors, this means a sustained increase in high-value specialty trade; for the tech sector, a new market for innovation; and for tourism, a vibrant cultural event that attracts thousands of international professionals to the heart of the city.

Source: [Emirates News Agency (WAM)

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World of Coffee Dubai 2026 Opens with Record 2,100 Exhibitors