Dubai – Qahwa World
The Dubai Coffee Auction returns this year as part of World of Coffee Dubai 2026, promising a bigger and more exciting experience than ever. The three-day event, taking place from 18 to 20 January 2026, offers roasters, café owners, and coffee enthusiasts the opportunity to explore and purchase some of the world’s finest coffees and innovative equipment.
Auction Event Schedule:
18 January – Coffee Equipment Showcase: Exhibitors will present a curated auction of specialized, high-end, and custom coffee equipment, providing attendees with an exclusive chance to explore the tools shaping modern coffee craftsmanship.
19 January – Premium Coffee Auction: Participants can bid on rare and specialty coffee lots, both in person and online through cupping bidding sessions, offering a more interactive experience for buyers worldwide.
20 January – Green Coffee Auction: A curated selection of pre-screened, top-tier green coffees will be showcased to buyers through in-person cupping sessions, emphasizing quality and exclusivity.
Organisers confirmed that this year’s auction introduces new experiences designed to connect buyers with rare microlots, specialty coffee, and advanced equipment, reinforcing Dubai’s position as a global hub for coffee lovers and the coffee industry.
The auction first launched last year during World of Coffee Dubai 2025, marking the region’s first-ever rare coffee auction, featuring around 20 collections of specialty and rare coffee beans.
The auction is the result of a strategic partnership between World of Coffee and the Coffee Centre of DMCC, aiming to strengthen Dubai’s role as a global coffee hub. Attendees can participate in person, while remote participants can join through a sophisticated digital platform.
In its inaugural edition, the Dubai Coffee Auction achieved record prices, with 16 collections of some of the rarest and finest beans offered by 11 producers from nine countries, including 11 collections of Geisha coffee, covering six different varieties, making the auction a global showcase of the world’s top coffee producers.
The highest-priced coffee in the auction was natural Geisha from the “Finca Sofia” farm in Panama, sold at $10,020 per kilogram, while another variety from the same farm reached $8,614 per kilogram, and a selection from “Finca La Mula” sold for $2,620 per kilogram. Meanwhile, Oma Natural coffee from Ethiopia reached $1,100 per kilogram, setting a new record for Ethiopian coffee.
The “Kona SL 34” variety from Hawaii also achieved a new U.S. coffee record at $950 per kilogram, an eightfold increase over the previous highest price paid for Kona coffee.
Geisha coffee is considered one of the rarest and most expensive coffees globally, known for its unique floral and citrus notes such as jasmine, and a smooth texture. Its origins trace back to Ethiopia, specifically the village of Geisha, and it was transplanted to Panama in the 1960s, where it thrives in high-altitude farms.
Additionally, “La Yama” from producer “Los Rodriguez” became the most expensive Bolivian coffee ever sold, fetching $350 per kilogram.
Specialty coffee, in general, is classified as coffee scoring 80 points or higher on a 100-point scale used in the Specialty Coffee Association’s cupping form. All lots presented in the auction scored 92 points or higher, reflecting their high quality.
Auction prices are driven by three main factors: superior quality, which typically scores above 90 points in cupping tests; rarity, as limited production increases demand; and the producer’s reputation and story, which add value and attract buyers seeking consistency and excellence.
