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Saudi Arabia Drinks 36 Million Cups Of Coffee Daily, $320 Million Push To Boost Production
Coffee consumption in Saudi Arabia is booming at a pace that places the kingdom among the world's most caffeinated societies.
Saudis now drink an estimated 36 million cups of coffee every day, according to the Saudi Restaurants and Cafés Association, in a market valued between $1.3 and $1.9 billion annually.
The surge reflects more than taste. Coffee culture has become deeply embedded in Saudi daily life, powered by a youthful population — nearly 70 per cent of Saudis are under 35 — and by a dramatic expansion of cafés, from sleek international chains to local brands.
As of mid-2024, Saudi Arabia's population is estimated at 35.3 million, with 19.6 million Saudi nationals and 15.7 million non-Saudis, providing context for the Kingdom's booming coffee consumption.
The Ministry of Commerce said more than 61,000 business licences for cafés have been issued across the country, including 27,000 for traditional neighbourhood coffee shops.
Top 10 countries that drink the most coffee per capita Finland: 4 to 5 cups per person daily; light roast filter coffee is most popular, and coffee breaks are legally mandated at work. Norway: Several cups daily, often black 'kokekaffe'; coffee is a staple of morning and social life. Iceland: A strong café culture despite its small population; coffee is drunk throughout the day, especially in colder months. Denmark: Coffee is tied to the lifestyle of hygge ; typically enjoyed with pastries during cozy gatherings. Netherlands: Coffee is served throughout the day, usually black or with a splash of milk, often offered to guests as a sign of hospitality. Sweden: Known for the fika tradition, where coffee is paired with something sweet; an important part of both work and family life. Switzerland: Espresso and café crème dominate; cafés are common gathering places paired with pastries or chocolate. Belgium: A mix of filter and espresso drinks; often served with chocolates or desserts in both social and business settings. Luxembourg: Influenced by French and German coffee styles, ranging from espresso to French press. Canada: The only non-European country in the top ten; coffee is a daily habit, often from Tim Hortons or brewed at home.
Ahmed Al Kashqari, chief executive of the Saudi Restaurants and Cafés Association, said cafés now account for 16 percent of Saudi Arabia's food service sector, a space once dominated by restaurants.
'Coffee has become part of our lifestyle,' he said, noting that the sector continues to grow at an annual rate of more than 5 per cent. With 36 million cups consumed daily, this averages to roughly one cup per person per day, highlighting how deeply coffee culture has taken root across the Kingdom.
Behind the explosion in consumption is a parallel push to build a domestic coffee industry. The Saudi Coffee Company, a subsidiary of the Public Investment Fund, has pledged nearly $320 million over the next decade to plant 5 million coffee trees by 2030.
The initiative aims to increase local production from 800 tonnes a year to more than 10,000 tonnes, enhancing the country's role in a global coffee market valued at $270 billion in 2024 and projected to rise to $369 billion by 2030.
Saudi Arabia's ambition is not only economic but also cultural: A bid to establish itself as a regional hub for specialty coffee while honoring the deep heritage of Arabian beans, particularly the prized Khawlani variety, nurtured for generations in the misty southern highlands.
In a nation once wary of public café culture, the shift has been dramatic. Barnes, a Saudi chain, now operates more than 800 outlets, outpacing Dunkin' with more than 600 and Starbucks with more than 450.
Other local names such as Kyan and Dr. Café are also expanding rapidly, showing that Saudi brands increasingly rival global giants on home turf.
And for many young Saudis, cafés have become more than a place for a caffeine fix; they have become social hubs and cultural venues, hosting art shows, book readings, and business meetings. 'Cafés are no longer just about coffee, they're about community,' Al Kashqari said.
How Saudis compare globally
While Saudi Arabia's consumption is striking, it still falls short of the world's most avid coffee-drinking nations. In the United States, where coffee is an entrenched daily ritual, Americans consume around 517 million cups a day, roughly three cups per adult, according to the National Coffee Association. Finland, often topping global rankings, averages 4 to 5 cups per person per day, making it the heaviest coffee consumer per capita worldwide.
By contrast, Saudi Arabia's 36 million daily cups translate to about 1 to 1.5 cups per person, still significant in a region historically dominated by tea. 'Coffee has always been part of the region's identity,' said Ahmed Al Kashqari of the Saudi Restaurants and Cafés Association.
'What's different today is the scale, and the fact that Saudi Arabia wants to be not just a consumer, but a producer with a voice in the global market.'
