- The Project Café Middle East 2025 report forecasts that the total Saudi Arabian branded coffee shop market will exceed 5,350 outlets by 2027.
- Events like the International Coffee and Chocolate Exhibition, the largest of its kind in the Middle East, are contributing to the growth of the coffee and chocolate sector in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East. Running from 2 to 6 December 2025, the event will host workshops, competitions, and the Middle East Coffee Conference.
- Local brands are experiencing explosive growth through rapid expansion, while international companies are recognising the value of entering the Saudi Arabian coffee market.
- The country is positioning itself not only as one of the world’s leading coffee-consuming nations but as an emerging origin, a hub for regional coffee trade, and a centre of innovation.
Saudi Arabia’s coffee landscape is experiencing a remarkable transformation. Once dominated by traditional Saudi coffee served in gatherings, the Kingdom is now home to thousands of specialty cafés and roasters.
This explosive growth reflects broader economic shifts under Vision 2030, positioning coffee as both a cultural cornerstone and a commercial opportunity in one of the world’s fastest-developing markets.
I spoke to Kamal Mohammed Al-Rawhani at Black Knight Company to learn how the Saudi Arabian coffee market could continue to evolve. He explains how events like the International Coffee and Chocolate Exhibition, the largest of its kind in the Middle East, are supporting the growth of the Saudi Arabian and Middle Eastern coffee and chocolate markets.
You may also like our article on whether coffee shops are becoming new social hubs in Saudi Arabia.
Specialty coffee in the Middle East
The Middle East’s specialty coffee market is thriving, with Saudi Arabia emerging as the regional powerhouse driving much of this growth.
Data from Project Café Middle East 2025 found that Saudi Arabia is the largest branded coffee shop market in the Middle East, reaching 5,130 outlets and accounting for 46% of all stores in the region. Its rapid growth is outpacing many established markets, signalling the Kingdom’s ascent as a major player in global coffee consumption and culture.
Events are playing a crucial role in supporting the explosive growth of the Saudi Arabian coffee market.
The 11th edition of the International Coffee and Chocolate Exhibition, which will run from 2 to 6 December 2025 at the Riyadh Front Exhibition & Convention Centre, will host over 300 local and international brands from more than 40 countries. These include roasters, café owners, green coffee importers and exporters, chocolatiers, equipment manufacturers, packaging suppliers, and more.
Expected to attract over 250,000 visitors across all five days, the event serves as a platform for knowledge exchange, product discovery, and business expansion opportunities, both in the dynamic Saudi Arabian coffee market and across the Middle East. The exhibition will host workshops, panels, competitions, tastings, and the Middle East Coffee Conference.
“The market has witnessed clear and tangible growth over the past decade, both in the spread of cafés and the rise of roasteries,” says Kamal, the CEO of Black Knight Company, a specialty coffee roaster in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. “We can also see a significant expansion in the home barista sector, which has become a strong and promising indicator of the overall growth of the coffee market in the Kingdom.”
This robust expansion is fuelled by younger demographics eager for contemporary social spaces. More than 60% of the population is under 30, and they are seeking venues that blend functionality with atmosphere for socialising, studying, and working.
Saudi Arabia’s heritage of traditional coffee consumption also supports the market’s growth. Coffee holds profound cultural significance in Saudi Arabia, where it represents hospitality, respect, and social connection. UNESCO recognised this cultural importance by adding qahwa to its list of intangible cultural heritage.
This historical foundation provides a natural springboard for the specialty coffee movement, as consumers already possess sophisticated palates and a deep appreciation for quality and ritual in their coffee experiences.
Saudi Arabia emerges as a coffee origin
Complementing this is the Kingdom’s emerging role as a coffee producer. While currently modest, domestic production is increasing as part of Vision 2030’s economic diversification strategy.
Saudi Arabia produces high-quality arabica in the mountainous southern regions of Jazan, Asir, and Al-Baha, where approximately 400,000 coffee trees are capable of producing up to 800 tonnes annually.
The government has initiated ambitious plans to plant 1.2 million additional coffee trees by 2026, with longer-term goals to increase national production capacity from 300 tonnes to 2,500 tonnes per year through strategic investments totalling nearly SAR 1.2 billion over the next decade.
In May 2022, Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund launched the Saudi Coffee Company with a US$319 million investment over ten years to support industry growth – from cultivation and processing to roasting, marketing, and export.
The company has established model farms in Jazan designed to set global standards, grow five million coffee trees by 2030, and provide templates for optimising water usage in line with sustainability goals.
These initiatives position Saudi Arabia not merely as a consumer market but as an emerging origin with aspirations to achieve global recognition for its unique coffee heritage.
“One of the key points we hope to highlight is how we can elevate the quality of coffee from farm to cup, ensuring that the consumer’s palate becomes more refined and appreciative of high standards,” Kamal says.
How the Saudi Arabian coffee market is diversifying
As both homegrown and international brands capitalise on surging demand, Saudi Arabia is evolving into a dynamic, competitive specialty coffee market.
Local brands are experiencing explosive growth through rapid expansion strategies and sophisticated social media marketing. Half Million, which launched in 2018, now operates 56 stores across more than 14 cities throughout Saudi Arabia and has even expanded internationally with a flagship location on London’s Oxford Street.
Barn’s Café represents another success story, having grown from around 130 outlets in 2018 to over 800 today, making it the largest coffee chain in the Kingdom and second only to Dunkin’ in the broader Middle East.
International brands have simultaneously recognised the vast potential of the Saudi market and are expanding their footprints accordingly.
Starbucks, operating under a licensing agreement with Kuwait’s Alshaya Group since 1999, now maintains approximately 400 stores across the Kingdom and continues to open new outlets in key cities like Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam. Tim Hortons, Dunkin’, and other global chains have also established strong footholds, with Dunkin’ remaining the second-largest chain in the market after Barn’s. In 2022, the company opened 30 outlets across the country in a single day.
Specialty international players like %Arabica have brought third wave coffee culture to Saudi consumers, introducing single origin offerings, alternative brewing methods, and minimalist café aesthetics. These international entrants introduce global flavours while simultaneously learning to adapt their offerings to local preferences, creating menu items that resonate with Saudi tastes and cultural expectations.
Supporting rapid growth
Events like the International Coffee and Chocolate Exhibition are playing a crucial role in supporting market growth by bringing together stakeholders from across the industry.
“The exhibition serves as a wide gateway for the coffee industry and an open space where consumers, clients, enthusiasts, and experts can connect,” Kamal says. “It enables meaningful exchange of concepts, innovations, and everything new in the world of coffee.”
Running from 2 to 6 December 2025 at the Riyadh Front Exhibition & Convention Centre, the event facilitates connections between roasters, chocolatiers, equipment suppliers, distributors, and café operators, enabling participants to explore the latest trends in coffee and chocolate, forge strategic partnerships, and gain visibility in the rapidly expanding market.
Divided into distinct zones for coffee, chocolate, and combined pairings, the exhibition will host roasting demonstrations, live chocolate sculpting, interactive tasting sessions, panels, lectures, and workshops led by industry experts.
The event also serves as both a marketplace and meeting ground, where homegrown Saudi brands can network with international suppliers and global companies can better understand the nuances of the Kingdom’s unique coffee culture and consumer preferences.
What’s in store for the future?
The Saudi Arabian specialty coffee market stands at an inflexion point, with multiple converging trends suggesting sustained growth and continued evolution through 2026 and beyond, particularly as domestic coffee production scales up and consumer preferences become increasingly sophisticated.
Younger generations are emerging as the primary engine driving market expansion. Cafés have become spaces for studying, working remotely, and meeting friends, transcending just coffee consumption.
This generation demonstrates willingness to pay premium prices for quality experiences, seeks venues with strong aesthetic appeal, and values brands that align with their aspirational identities. Their preferences are reshaping what cafés offer, from menus to interior design to digital integration through mobile ordering and loyalty programmes.
“The sector is expected to continue its strong growth, as previous years have shown a consistent upward trend,” Kamal says. “Saudi Arabia remains one of the most dynamic and expanding coffee industries, offering room for operators, researchers, and innovators to deliver exceptional and differentiated outputs.
“Although the product is ‘coffee’, the potential for development is vast and open to everyone,” he adds.
Exclusivity and rarity will increasingly drive the market as consumers develop more refined palates and seek differentiation. High-end specialty coffee offerings are gaining remarkable traction, with consumers willing to pay premiums for exceptional competition and auction coffees.
The growth of Saudi Arabia’s domestic coffee production adds another dimension to this sophistication. As farms increase their output and quality through government-supported initiatives, locally grown Saudi coffee will likely become a point of national pride and a unique offering in the global specialty coffee market.
While international interest remains strong, with major global brands continuing to invest in expansion and foreign companies recognising the Kingdom’s economic potential, homegrown brands are likely to maintain their competitive edge and drive much of the market’s future growth.
Local operators have inherent advantages in understanding cultural nuances, navigating regulatory environments, and creating offerings that resonate with Saudi consumers’ specific preferences. They can adapt more quickly to shifting tastes, maintain closer connections with their customer base, and leverage national pride and support for locally owned businesses.
Events like the International Coffee and Chocolate Exhibition will continue to drive innovation and facilitate the knowledge exchange necessary for the market’s maturation. Beyond showcasing the latest coffee and chocolate products, the exhibition will host the Saudi Coffee Championship, a latte art competition, and bean-to-bar chocolate contests that elevate industry standards and celebrate craftsmanship.
The exhibition will also host the Middle East Coffee Conference, which features more than 40 international expert speakers.
The event’s comprehensive workshop programme covers topics ranging from sustainable sourcing practices and roasting science to chocolate tempering techniques and café business management, providing participants with practical skills and expert insight. Lectures from industry leaders offer perspectives on global trends, emerging technologies, and best practices that Saudi operators can adapt to their local contexts.
For international companies seeking to enter the Saudi market, the exhibition provides crucial introductions to local partners and distributors, as well as insights into consumer preferences and regulatory requirements. For Saudi entrepreneurs, it offers access to global suppliers, exposure to international quality standards, and inspiration from successful models in other markets.
As consumption patterns mature and the country’s Vision 2030 initiatives bear fruit, Saudi Arabia is positioning itself not only as one of the world’s leading coffee-consuming nations but as an emerging origin, a hub for regional coffee trade, and a centre of innovation where ancient coffee traditions meet cutting-edge café culture.
The next few years promise to be transformative as these various elements coalesce, creating opportunities for those positioned to understand and serve this dynamic market.
Enjoyed this? Then read our guide to coffee production in Saudi Arabia.
Photo credits: International Coffee and Chocolate Exhibition
Perfect Daily Grind
Please note: International Coffee and Chocolate Exhibition is a sponsor of Perfect Daily Grind.
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