A daily cup of coffee in Dubai is no longer a small expense. Café prices across the UAE typically range between Dh20 and Dh30 per cup, a habit that can add up to more than Dh6,500 a year, according to regional media including Khaleej Times.
The rise is being driven by a global surge in Arabica bean prices, which are trading near multi-decade highs. US tariffs on Brazilian coffee — the world's largest producer — combined with weak harvests elsewhere, have piled pressure on the supply chain. Illycaffè, the Italian roaster with outlets across malls such as Dubai Mall and Mall of the Emirates, has said it plans another price increase after two hikes already this year, with chief executive Cristina Scocchia noting there is a limit to how much a company can absorb rising green coffee costs.
Despite the pressure, Dubai's café culture keeps growing, with many residents unwilling to give up their daily ritual. Others are turning to home brewing instead: some UAE coffee lovers are now spending up to Dh33,000 on high-end home espresso machines, saying the investment gives them full control over taste and, over time, cuts down on café visits.
Analysts say that as long as pressure on the global coffee market persists, residents should brace for further price increases on their daily cup.