Coffee Prices Remain Stable in Saudi Arabia Despite Global Surges
Despite record-breaking increases in global coffee prices, data from the General Authority for Statistics in Saudi Arabia indicates relative stability in the local market, supported by steady supply availability and continued imports from major producing countries.
According to official data reported by the Saudi economic magazine “Maal”, the average price of whole bean/hari coffee in Saudi Arabia during January 2025 stood at SAR 45.6 per kilogram, compared to SAR 44.9 at the end of 2023, reflecting a slight increase of only 1.6% over the year. Meanwhile, whole bean/laqmati coffee was priced at SAR 31.9 per kilogram in January 2025, down from SAR 32.3 at the end of 2023, a 1.2% decrease. This local price stability persists despite sharp global price hikes over the past 18 months.
Saudi Arabia imported 188,000 tons of coffee beans in 2024, with Ethiopia as the leading supplier, accounting for 58% of total imports, followed by Brazil at 15% and India at 3%. The diversification of import sources helps ensure a stable coffee supply in the local market.
According to “Maal” magazine, Saudi Arabia’s balanced trade policies and diverse import channels have played a key role in maintaining market stability despite global disruptions. With ongoing government initiatives to support coffee farming in the Kingdom, increased local production is expected to enhance food security and mitigate future price volatility.
On the production front, the Saudi Reef Program – affiliated with the Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture – reported that Saudi Arabia’s coffee production reached 1,485 tons in 2023, marking a 37% increase compared to the previous year. The Kingdom aims to boost production to 7,000 tons by 2026 through support and development programs, with total financial aid to the sector reaching SAR 61 million, benefiting 3,718 farmers to date.
Meanwhile, global coffee prices continue to skyrocket, rising 21% in January and February 2025, bringing the total increase since October 2023 to 168%, according to a report by “Maal” magazine.
Arabica coffee prices – which account for 75% of global production – have surged significantly, with the price per ton increasing from $3,287 in October 2023 to $8,818 in February 2025, a rise of $5,531 or 168%. Robusta coffee prices also climbed from $2,481 per ton to $5,817 per ton during the same period, marking an increase of $3,336 or 134%, setting a new all-time high.
This sharp increase in global coffee prices is largely attributed to climate-related crises affecting Brazil, where Minas Gerais State – responsible for 30% of Brazil’s arabica production – is facing its worst drought since 1981 due to declining rainfall throughout 2024. This situation raises concerns about Brazil’s coffee output, as the country remains the world’s leading supplier of sweet arabica beans, accounting for more than a third of global coffee supply.
At the same time, China’s coffee consumption continues to surge, growing by 150% over the past decade, reaching 6.3 million tons in 2024, while its domestic production remains at just 2 million tons. This supply gap has led to a significant increase in Chinese coffee imports, adding further pressure to global coffee prices in recent months.
