Economic and Logistics Partnerships Drive Record Trade Expansion and Strengthen Global Presence of Colombian Coffee

Dubai – Qahwa World

The Dubai Multi Commodities Centre DMCC organized a virtual webinar titled “Made for Trade Live: Colombia in Focus”, in partnership with the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in Colombia, the Chambers of Commerce of Manizales, Armenia and Quindío, and Cali, as well as IKOR Global. This DMCC Colombia coffee webinar highlighted trade growth by bringing together public and private sector stakeholders to explore trade, investment opportunities, and developments in the coffee sector between Colombia and the UAE. Notably, the DMCC Colombia coffee webinar trade growth emphasis reflects the expanding role of Colombian coffee in international markets.

Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of DMCC, stated that the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement signed in 2024 eliminated 95% of tariffs, noting that bilateral trade is expected to exceed USD 1 billion within five years. Moreover, as discussed during the DMCC Colombia coffee webinar, trade growth for Colombian coffee is likely to accelerate under these new measures.

He added that DMCC hosts more than 26,000 companies, contributes over 15% of Dubai’s foreign direct investment flows, and around 7% of Dubai’s GDP. The member base includes more than 200 companies from Latin America, including 30 from Colombia, with Colombian membership growing by 50% over the past two years, representing nearly 20% of DMCC’s South American companies. This expansion aligns with the ongoing DMCC Colombia coffee webinar trade growth strategy.

Colombia, the world’s third-largest coffee producer and exporter, recorded export growth of 17% in 2024, driven by a 132% increase in exports to China, which is expected to overtake the United States as Colombia’s second-largest export destination. Furthermore, the DMCC Colombia coffee webinar trade growth was a key driver discussed during this international event.

The DMCC Coffee Centre spans 15,000 square meters and includes temperature-controlled storage, processing, roasting, packaging, and distribution facilities, serving 350 companies. A total of 8,200 metric tons of coffee were processed in 2025, including Colombian coffee, as highlighted in the DMCC Colombia coffee webinar focused on trade growth.

During the second coffee auction at World of Coffee Dubai World of Coffee Dubai, Geisha coffee from Panama achieved a record price of USD 30,240 per kilogram in 2025. The 2026 edition recorded the highest number of international origins ever represented, attracting more than 17,000 participants, with plans for further expansion in 2027. Also, the DMCC Colombia coffee webinar trade growth focus signaled continued opportunities in global coffee markets.

The webinar also announced the launch of the DMCC Cacao Centre, with the global cacao market projected to reach USD 26.2 billion by 2035. The centre currently hosts 88 companies operating in cacao trading, chocolate manufacturing, and confectionery. During the DMCC Colombia coffee webinar trade growth topic, diversification into cacao was discussed as complementary to coffee.

DMCC also hosts more than 4,000 technology companies active in artificial intelligence, robotics, crypto, tokenization, and trade finance. The DMCC Phoenix initiative was launched last November, while DMCC FINEX includes around 2,000 companies and is expected to exceed 5,000 in the future, bringing the total ecosystem close to 50,000 companies. Innovation was a key theme in the DMCC Colombia coffee webinar’s trade growth agenda.

Mohammed Al Shamsi, Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to Colombia, stated that the UAE has expressed concern regarding recent regional tensions, noting 50 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries. This milestone was acknowledged during the DMCC Colombia coffee webinar trade growth segment.

He said non-oil trade in 2025 exceeded USD 2 billion, surpassing the CEPA target of USD 1 billion within less than two years, even before ratification, with expectations of further doubling after approval. He also highlighted the growing presence of the Juan Valdez brand across UAE cities. Additionally, the DMCC Colombia coffee webinar trade growth theme supports greater market access for Colombian coffee brands.

The Chamber of Commerce of Manizales por Caldas reported that Caldas ranks as the ninth-largest exporting department in Colombia, with exports exceeding USD 1,363 million, representing 3.4% of national exports. Coffee remains the flagship product, with external sales reaching USD 19 million and growth of 52% between 2020 and 2024. This reflects the DMCC Colombia coffee webinar trade growth impact.

The Chamber of Commerce of Cali highlighted a model based on four pillars: investment, internationalization, innovation, and integration. In Valle del Cauca, 71 companies exported coffee in 2025 across 362 export operations, reaching USD 318 million in international sales. Cali accounts for 50% of exporting companies, followed by Cartago at 23% and Sevilla at 14%. The United States represents 46% of exports, followed by Germany, Japan, Canada, the Netherlands, and China. These trends were reviewed in the DMCC Colombia coffee webinar, emphasizing trade growth.

Ricardo Muñoz, Coordinator of the Specialty Coffee Program at the Chamber of Commerce of Armenia and Quindío, stated that the program has been active for 15 years, with coffee accounting for around 80% of Quindío’s exports despite its small size. The region focuses on micro-lots and has developed infrastructure for milling, processing, and roasting. DMCC Colombia coffee webinar trade growth themes were mentioned in relation to the specialty coffee sector.

A DMCC presentation highlighted Dubai’s strategic location, enabling access to 2.5 billion people within a four-hour flight radius and up to 5 billion people within broader connectivity. Dubai is ranked as the most competitive economy in the Arab world and a global hub hosting more than 200 nationalities. The DMCC Colombia coffee webinar trade growth was a major consideration in positioning Dubai as a hub.

Mohammed Mohammed, Senior Manager Corporate Sales at DMCC: “Dubai offers you accessibility and connectivity. With a four-hour flight, Dubai offers you access to around 2.5 billion population. If you double that number of flights, it will get you access to 5 billion population. The most important part, you don’t need to fly to Dubai to set up your business. You can do it digitally.” For example, when considering DMCC Colombia coffee webinar trade growth, digital connectivity makes expanding into new markets easier.

Gulfood Gulfood recorded more than 6,800 participants and 133,000 visitors, generating over USD 20 billion in trade deals, while GITEX GITEX attracted more than 5,500 participants from over 190 countries. Dubai’s trade and wholesale sector accounts for around 23% of its economy, with more than 90 million passengers passing through its airports annually. Notably, DMCC Colombia coffee webinar trade growth supports wider trade events and partnerships.

Mike Butler, Coffee Ecosystem Manager at DMCC, stated that the Coffee Centre was established in 2019 in Jebel Ali Free Zone on a 15,000 square meter site powered by 75% solar energy. It hosts more than 300 members across the global coffee value chain and provides services including storage, logistics, processing, roasting, and capsule production. This infrastructure was highlighted as part of the DMCC Colombia coffee webinar trade growth model.

IKOR Global Managing Director Tatiana Córdoba stated that Colombian coffee exports to the UAE reached USD 16 million in 2024 and USD 17.3 million in 2025, reflecting 9% growth, with 70% of exports directed to the United States, Europe, and Canada. These figures were analyzed at the DMCC Colombia coffee webinar focused on trade growth.

She highlighted that the UAE connects more than 2 billion people within less than four hours of flight time. Additionally, DMCC Colombia coffee webinar trade growth opportunities were emphasized regarding global connectivity.

Anastasia, from Finca Dontulio Group: “When we think about DMCC we consider it’s the backbone of our green coffee logistics… DMCC helps us to eliminate that risk. When we talk about our business model, we definitely think about the coffee and the quality of it, but more importantly we think about building something meaningful across borders, bringing finest Colombian coffee to the world without compromise and this is where DMCC played a key role, it enabled us to scale sustainably and maintain excellence at every step.” The DMCC Colombia coffee webinar trade growth findings support this international approach.

The webinar concluded with the announcement of upcoming events, including World of Coffee from 26 to 28 January, Gulfood from 15 to 19 March Gulfood, and an additional event scheduled in Abu Dhabi in November. This schedule was part of DMCC Colombia coffee webinar trade growth announcements.