Dubai Coffee Auction Breaks Records with Prices Reaching $10,000 per Kilogram
The Dubai Coffee Auction showcases rare beans, highlighting a growing global demand for specialty coffee.
The Dubai Coffee Auction, organized by the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) as part of the World of Coffee Expo 2025 taking place at the Dubai World Trade Centre, has achieved record-breaking prices for premium coffee beans.
The auction featured 16 lots of some of the rarest and finest coffee beans presented by 11 producers from nine countries, including 11 lots of Geisha coffee, which represented six different types.
The highest price recorded was for natural Geisha coffee from the Finca Sofia farm in Panama, which sold for $10,020 per kilogram.
Another type from the same farm reached a price of $8,614 per kilogram.
Additionally, a variety from Finca La Mula sold for $2,620 per kilogram, while coffee from Ethiopia, specifically the Uma Natural variety, fetched $1,100 per kilogram, setting a new record for Ethiopian coffee.
A new record was also set for American coffee, with the Kona SL34 variety from Hawaii selling for $950 per kilogram, marking an eightfold increase over the previous highest price paid for Kona coffee.
Geisha coffee is known as one of the rarest and most expensive coffee varieties globally, celebrated for its unique flavor profile and high quality.
It originates from Ethiopia, specifically from the village of Geisha, and was later relocated to Panama in the 1960s, where it is cultivated in high-altitude farms.
Furthermore, the ‘La Yama’ beans from producer Los Rodriguez became the most expensive Bolivian coffee ever sold, priced at $350 per kilogram.
Ahmed Bin Sulayem, CEO of the DMCC, stated that the auction successfully enhanced price discovery mechanisms in the specialty coffee market, bringing together producers, traders, and enthusiasts from around the world.
He emphasized the DMCC's role in shaping the future of one of the world’s most traded commodities.
Khalid Al Hamadi, Senior Vice President of DXB Live, noted that the inaugural coffee auction in Dubai solidified the Emirate's status as a global coffee trading hub by connecting producers, traders, and coffee lovers from across the globe.
The auction not only highlighted the increasing demand for rare and premium coffee beans but also affirmed a commitment to drive growth and excellence in this sector through such noteworthy events.
It is important to note that specialty coffee is classified as coffee that scores 80 points or more on a 100-point scale used by the Specialty Coffee Association’s cupping form, and all batches at the auction received scores of 92 points or higher.
The fourth edition of the World of Coffee Expo concluded recently, achieving record numbers with over 17,000 trade visitors from 78 countries, reflecting an approximately 30% increase from 2024. The three-day event, held at the Dubai World Trade Centre, featured more than 1,980 participating companies and brands, including 131 newcomers.