Melitta key account manager international Falko Pluckebaum believes the market is full of innovation at the moment.
5
Home-grown
International coffee brands were quick to note the opportunities in the Middle East market, but an uptake in home-grown brands has begun.
ICTF’s Godinho says the trend “was inevitable” and has been gradually evolving since 2010.
“Independent cafés are essential to the development of a unique café culture,” he enthuses.
“There still undoubtedly remains a considerable market gap in terms of coffee quality and staff efficiency by direct comparison to international specialty cafés.”
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Through the addition of new roasters to the local market that look to aim higher and broaden the quality and competition landscape, the future remains bright, Godinho adds.
Coffee Planet’s Wade notes a definite rise in home-grown and independent stores throughout the UAE. “It is so refreshing to see, as previously people spent the majority of their time in malls but that is clearly changing,” he says.
He continues: “We’ve recently started taking part in the Baker & Spice Farmers Market which has proved to be immensely popular. There are so many different art events and pop up markets now which encapsulate the spirit of independent and smaller stores.”
However, Bunn’s Hijazi warns that the UAE is not growing its own production and believes it is clear that international coffee chains have an important potential on the UAE market.
“It is expected that more international players will be looking to gain a foothold,” he adds.
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