How Culture, Capital & Consumer Shifts are Transforming the Kingdom’s Coffee Economy
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Coffee is serious business in Saudi Arabia, so serious that the Public Investment Fund launched the Saudi Coffee Company which is backed by a $320M investment over ten years.
Fahad Alnuhait, Chairman of the Saudi Coffee Company said: “Part of our mandate is to celebrate Saudi coffee. We want to share it with coffee lovers globally and put it on the map of best coffee that can be served anywhere on the planet.”
Taking place from 12 – 14 May at Riyadh Front Exhibition & Conference Centre, The Saudi Food Show is poised to maximise opportunities in this burgeoning sector. The premier F&B event now includes Coffee World Saudi, a special feature that includes exclusive hands-on workshops and interactive demos led by global coffee masters.
What’s behind this caffeine-fuelled transformation? Propelled by Vision 2030, driven by a young, tech-savvy consumer base and tied to local traditions, Saudi coffee is not just a beverage—it’s becoming a symbol of national identity and global ambition. The Kingdom is positioning itself as both a consumer market and a trade hub for coffee innovation, training and equipment.
Growing from Gahwa to Global Palates
Saudi entrepreneurs and roasters are blending heritage with modern formats—think speciality cold brew infused with cardamom or barista-crafted Khawlani espresso. Local brands are scaling with international aspirations, exporting not just coffee, but culture.
Coffee Culture Becomes a Lifestyle
Speciality cafés have expanded rapidly across Riyadh and Jeddah, creating a vibrant, youth-focused scene. Coffee has become a cultural touchpoint that is central to both socialising and business meetings as well as a major source of inspiration for digital content creation.
Sustainability Starts in Saudi’s Agricultural Heartland
In regions like Jazan (referred to as the “fruit basket” of the Kingdom), local farming initiatives are transforming landscapes into productive coffee-growing zones. Sustainability, agritech and domestic supply chains are no longer afterthoughts—they’re the strategy.
Saudi Arabia isn’t just catching up with the global coffee economy—it’s shaping it. And the most interesting part? This is just the beginning. Here’s how The Saudi Food Show’s Coffee World Saudi, will be celebrating the world’s most epic bean…
Coffee Heritage Masterclasses & Global Coffee Showcases
- Taking visitors on a journey through the world’s finest coffee cultures, with a focus on three to four countries per day, highlighting traditional and modern brewing techniques and speciality coffee trends.
- Shining the spotlight on unique origins, processing methods and roasting techniques from leading coffee-producing nations including Ethiopia, Colombia, Brazil, Vietnam, Saudi Arabia, Yemen and more.
- Sharing insights from leading coffee roasters, traders and café entrepreneurs on market potential and industry growth.
The Business of Coffee – From Bean to Cup
- Exploring investment and entrepreneurship opportunities in Saudi’s coffee market and deep-diving into coffee supply chain and sustainability in terms of ethical sourcing, direct trade and eco-friendly production.
- Uncovering how AI and technology are transforming the coffee business – from smart roasting to precision brewing, and exploring trends such as the wave of ready-to-drink products, experiential cafés and functional coffee blends with superfoods.
Meet The Saudi Food Show’s Coffee Masters
- Eliasz Minkiewicz
Eliasz is a globally recognised coffee expert from Poland, known for crafting exclusive blends for luxury brands like Tiffany&Co and Fendi during his tenure at Harrods. Founder of Nord Coffee Roastery, his signature espresso was named the UK’s top blend at The Great Taste Awards. A multi-award-winning coffee champion and top-ranking Coffee Masters finalist, Eliasz brings exceptional expertise in tasting, roasting and coffee innovation.
- Rana Hassanieh
Rana is a Riyadh-based Coffee Consultant, Founder of Barista Hustle Arabic and Co-Founder of Edda Arabica Coffee. Fuelled by her passion for arts, culture and language, she founded Barista Hustle Arabic in 2019 as a way to provide the Arab world with an online coffee educational platform. Rana is dedicated to creating an expansive coffee-related lexicon for Arabic speakers, while honouring and uplifting the diversity of Arabic dialects across the region.
Stay tuned for more exciting announcements about Coffee World Saudi. Register now to join your fellow coffee connoisseurs at The Saudi Food Show from 12 – 14 May at Riyadh Front Exhibition and Conference Centre.
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