Dubai is set to become the center of attention for coffee enthusiasts and industry leaders as it hosts the first-ever DMCC Specialty Coffee Auction during World of Coffee (WOC) Dubai 2025. This groundbreaking event, scheduled for February, will see some of the rarest and finest coffee beans globally go under the hammer for eager buyers.
The auction is the result of a strategic collaboration between WOC Dubai and the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC). It will feature around 20 exclusive lots of rare, specialty-grade coffee beans. Buyers worldwide, including top global producers, will participate either in person or remotely via a state-of-the-art digital auction platform.
Specialty coffee is defined as coffee scoring 80 points or above on the Specialty Coffee Association’s 100-point scale. However, the beans featured in this auction boast scores of 92 and above. Coffee prices for high-quality lots have skyrocketed, with records continuously being broken. Earlier this year, the Elida Geisha Natural Torre from the Lamastus Family Estate set a new record, selling for $10,013 per kilogram.
Among the rarest coffees in the world are Thailand’s Black Ivory, which sells for about $1,500 per kilogram, and Indonesia’s Kopi Luwak, which can reach prices of up to $1,200 per kilogram.
Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Executive Chairman and CEO of DMCC, stated:
“The launch of the inaugural DMCC Coffee Auction at World of Coffee Dubai 2025 reflects our commitment to shaping the future of one of the world’s most valued commodities. By presenting these exceptional coffees, this event could establish new benchmarks for specialty coffee pricing while cementing Dubai’s role as a global coffee trade hub. We are proud to bring together producers, traders, and coffee lovers from across the globe to foster growth, sustainability, and innovation in the industry.”
This highly anticipated auction will serve as a key feature of World of Coffee Dubai 2025, the region’s largest coffee trade show. Returning for its fourth edition from February 10–12, 2025, at the Dubai World Trade Centre, WOC Dubai is expected to welcome over 13,500 visitors and 400 international exhibitors.
With the coffee market in the MENA region projected to reach a value of $11.5 billion by 2025, WOC Dubai comes at a critical time, reflecting the region’s rapid growth and influence within the coffee industry.
Khalid Al Hammadi, Senior Vice President of DXB LIVE, commented:
“World of Coffee Dubai has become a vital platform for uniting coffee professionals, enthusiasts, and businesses worldwide. Hosting this auction highlights Dubai’s increasingly pivotal role in the global coffee trade and its reputation as a hub for innovation, opportunity, and collaboration within the industry.”
The coffee industry has seen a remarkable increase in value, with prices reaching their highest levels in 47 years. This surge is driven by rising global demand—particularly in Asia—and challenges in supply, including adverse weather conditions affecting key coffee-producing nations like Brazil and Vietnam. These factors make events like the DMCC Specialty Coffee Auction essential, as they connect industry leaders while providing insight into emerging trends and opportunities.