UAE

UAE’s café culture keeps growing despite price pressure

Walk into a Dubai café on any weekday morning and you’ll see full tables, steady footfall, and queues that rarely let up. Rising global prices haven’t weakened demand.

Coffee consumption across the UAE and GCC keeps accelerating, powered by one of the strongest out-of-home coffee cultures anywhere:

Market value: more than Dh12 billion
About 93% of spending happens in cafés and restaurants
Coffee re-exports passed Dh3.5 billion in 2024
Global arabica futures near $3.54 per pound
US cup prices up almost 20% since early 2023

You live in a market where coffee is tied to routine, work, and social life. That connection shapes how price pressure shows up — and why your daily order still feels non-negotiable.

Beans cost more everywhere

Poor weather in Brazil and disruptions across major producing regions tightened supply this year, pushing arabica futures to record highs. Wholesale prices more than doubled compared with long-term averages, lifting costs for roasters, cafés, and distributors.

In huge consumer markets such as the US, where annual spending tops $100 billion, higher input costs have been passed on directly to customers. The result: almost a fifth added to the price of a regular cup since early 2023.

Rising prices haven’t stopped people drinking coffee, but they have shifted habits. “They’ve not necessarily been cutting back coffee consumption,” said Kona Haque, head of commodities research at ED&F Man. “They’ve been trading down.”

More consumers are buying private-label beans, choosing cheaper formats, and making coffee at home. Machine sales jumped 43% year on year in the UK during last month’s Black Friday period, while international surveys show nearly four in ten coffee drinkers already brew more at home because of rising costs.

Would you trade your morning café routine for a home grinder if prices climbed further?

Why the UAE bucks the trend

Here, consumption continues to grow instead of pulling back. Operators spread higher bean costs across menu design, sourcing strategies, and operational efficiencies rather than relying on fast price increases. That approach preserves the café experience — something the UAE consumer still prioritises.

Think about what keeps you returning:

A familiar barista who knows your order
A roast profile you trust
A space that feels part of your day
A premium experience you can’t recreate in your kitchen

Scale strengthens that ecosystem. Green coffee imports across the GCC are rising steadily. Dubai’s warehouse facilities, cupping labs, quality-control centres, and trading platforms reinforce its position as a regional gateway for producers, traders, and buyers across the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. Those investments help cafés manage costs and maintain consistency even as prices fluctuate worldwide.

If you’ve toured a roastery in Al Quoz or visited a cupping lab to sample origins, you’ve already seen how infrastructure supports your cup.

How demand reshapes market

Saudi Arabia posts some of the highest per-capita consumption figures globally. Egypt and Morocco are recording rapid growth in imports and demand. With more than 60% of the population across MENA under 35, coffee operates as a lifestyle product as much as a drink.

That demographic momentum will be on display next month at the fifth edition of World of Coffee Dubai, organised by DXB LIVE with the Specialty Coffee Association. Expect packed halls, new varieties, equipment showcases, and buyers searching for ways to stand out in a saturated but expanding market.

Where do your habits place you — experimenting with single-origin beans at home, or loyal to a café where the staff know your name?

What this means for your routine

The UAE’s trajectory stands apart from many mature markets:

Prices won’t fall quickly, but noticeable spikes may stay limited
Café culture will keep dominating daily consumption
Premiumisation and specialty options will expand
Home brewing will grow, but won’t replace out-of-home demand
Experience, quality, and consistency will keep driving decisions

Rising costs haven’t reduced demand because your expectations remain anchored in experience. As long as cafés feel like essential social spaces — places where you work, meet, or pause — demand is likely to keep rising.

Would anything persuade you to trade that experience for a cheaper cup at home, or does your café remain worth every dirham?

Story by Gulf News

Education

Students Return to In-Person Classes with Safety Measures

More than a million students have been allowed to return to all educational institutions in the UAE from today after weeks of distance learning due to geopolitical tensions that ensued the US-Israel-Iran war. Most of the school students are returning to campuses after a pause of around 50 days since March 2. The yellow buses ferrying the students have hit the roads again after a brief uncertainty over their operations over the past few days. Meanwhile, several students across nurseries, schools and universities are still continuing to follow remote learning till there is a permanent solution to the war. Gulf News reporters and photographers are out on the field to provide you with all the updates live.

10:37 AM, 20 April 2026

Joy returns to classrooms as students and teachers reunite

“You can really see the joy on the children’s faces, how happy and excited they are to be back in the classroom with their friends and teachers. It’s clearly visible in the way they’re laughing and interacting again,” said Andrew Hyland, Media Studies teacher at GEMS Metropole School.

“It’s the same for us as teachers too. We’re happier having the students back, and it feels good to return to our routines and the rhythm of school life.

At GEMS Metropole School, a parent survey conducted ahead of reopening showed that around 80 per cent of families were eager for students to return to campus.

According to Nav Iqbal – Principal, CEO, Brand Ambassador at Gems Metropole School, early indications suggest attendance may be higher than initially expected, with most students back in school.

“It’s a little too early to give final numbers, as we only confirm attendance at the end of the school day,” the principal said.

“We had anticipated around 80 per cent on campus and 20 per cent on distance learning, but it feels higher than that. We will publish the official figures later today on our social media channels, but it was great to see more students back across the school than before.

Parents who are unable to attend, whether due to travel or other reasons – have been informed that learning support will be provided. That group is generally less than 10 per cent.”

10:22 AM, 20 April 2026

‘Excited to bring the kids back,’ says parent

Reem Odeh, a mother of a FS2 student at GEMS Metropole School, said that while it was good to have the children at home, being back in school with friends and teachers is far more beneficial for them.

“We were very excited to bring the kids back. We prepared everything, and they woke up early this morning, really looking forward to returning to school.”

10:15 AM, 20 April 2026

‘Overjoyed to have children back in school,’ says parent

Karen Fathallah, a parent of two children in FS1 and Year 2 at Gems Metropole School said she is overjoyed to have them back in school and to see teachers and staff again.

~ Zainab Husain reporting from GEMS Metropole School, Dubai

Karen Fathallah, a parent of two children in FS1 and Year 2 at Gems Metropole School said she is overjoyed to have them back in school and to see teachers and staff again.

10:13 AM, 20 April 2026

Excitement as students reunite with friends and teachers

“School online is definitely not the same. I’m excited to be back in a proper routine, to have structure again, and to see my friends and teachers in person,” Neeti, Grade 11 student and prefect and Gems Metropole School.

10:07 AM, 20 April 2026

Some schools extend distance learning for one week

“As per the direction from APEA, the school has been granted approval to continue with distance learning for one week. During this time, we will be conducting comprehensive training for teachers, leaders, administrative staff, as well as transport teams including bus drivers and conductors. This initiative is aimed at ensuring that all safety protocols and operational measures are thoroughly understood and implemented. We remain committed to prioritising the well-being and safety of our entire school community, and we look forward to being fully prepared to resume on-site classes from Monday, April 27,” Shiny Davison, Principal, Woodlem Park school, Ajman, told Gulf News.

10:05 AM, 20 April 2026

Teachers focus on reflection and readjustment

Erin Nelson, Deputy Headteacher of Primary at GEMS Metropole School, said the focus on the first day back is to recognise students’ progress during online learning, give them space to reflect on the past seven weeks, and support a gradual return to normal school routines.

09:57 AM, 20 April 2026

Hallways come alive as students head to classes

Students at GEMS Metropole School in Motor City are seen moving through the hallways between classes as the school day gets underway.

09:55 AM, 20 April 2026

Safe zones and tighter protocols as Dubai schools reopen

Schools across Dubai are a little different as campuses reopen with enhanced safety measures in place, including designated safe zones and updated emergency procedures in line with guidance from the KHDA.

At GEMS Metropole School, staff say preparations have focused on both classroom safety and wider campus operations from emergency readiness to traffic flow and student movement.

Overseeing these measures is Nizar Mahmoud Mourad, Manager of School Operations at the school.

“Student safety remains our top priority, and we are fully aligned with the instructions issued by the relevant authorities. We have also introduced additional internal procedures to strengthen preparedness across the campus.

“This includes designated safe zones and shelter areas, along with comprehensive training for staff so students know exactly what to do before, during and after any emergency.”

– Zainab Husain reporting from GEMS Metropole School, Dubai

Education

Dubai resumes school bus services

In line with ongoing assessments conducted by the National Emergency and Crisis Management Authority, in coordination with the Ministry of Education, bus services for private educational institutions in Dubai will resume starting Monday, April 20, 2026, in accordance with the approved safety protocols.

This decision is an extension of the country’s continuous assessment approach during this period, ensuring continuity of education, student safety, and the efficiency of services provided.

The relevant authorities will continue to monitor and assess the situation regularly, taking the necessary measures in line with any developments while maintaining the highest levels of readiness and stability.

The safety and wellbeing of students, educators, and the wider community remain a top priority at all times.

We encourage you to stay updated via official sources and to adhere to all safety measures.

For more information, you can visit the Reopening Protocols for Private Education Institutions in Dubai poge on our website.

Education

Distance learning continues for some UAE schools Monday

As UAE schools prepare for the gradual return to in-person learning from Monday, April 20, some schools have informed parents they will not be reopening their campuses on that date — while certain schools have made physical attendance compulsory for students who travel by private transport.

Leams Education, which runs several schools across the UAE, has confirmed it will not resume on-campus learning on Monday. CEO and director Nabil Hasan Lahir told Gulf News the schools required additional time to complete final-stage staff training, safety drills, emergency preparedness protocols, and full compliance documentation before KHDA could grant formal approval to reopen.

“Distance learning will continue next week to ensure a safe, fully compliant, and well-coordinated reopening,” he said.

On the learning model going forward, Lahir said a carefully phased transition to hybrid learning would follow KHDA approval, with rotational attendance, reduced on-campus density, and clearly defined timetables. He added that the schools had robust contingency plans in place to switch back to full remote learning immediately if circumstances changed — including trained staff, established online platforms, and structured timetables to ensure continuity without disruption.

Dubai schools hold back

Many Dubai schools echoed the same position with some saying they will continue distance education for at least one week while some said they will operate remotely until further notice.

Dubai Scholars told parents in a circular it will not reopen physically on Monday and continue online learning until further notice, citing pending KHDA approval. “This approval process will take a few days as there are many requirements that need to be compliant,” the circular read.

At Dubai International Academy – Emirates Hills, principal Hitesh Bhagat struck a more reassuring tone in a personal letter to parents, saying the school hoped to reopen “at the earliest opportunity — likely Monday or Tuesday” — though this too remained subject to a successful on-site KHDA inspection.

“As parents, nothing matters more than the safety and wellbeing of our children, and I want to assure you that this remains at the centre of every decision we make,” Bhagat wrote. He confirmed he would write to parents on Sunday with a confirmed date.

Bhagat also addressed how classes would be structured, noting that KHDA guidelines do not permit a teacher to deliver lessons simultaneously to both in-person and online students. For primary school, students opting for distance learning would be placed in a dedicated online class, while senior school students would follow a full hybrid timetable with adjusted groupings where possible.

Surveying parents

Several other Dubai schools have similarly begun surveying parents on their preferred mode of learning as institutions plan hybrid arrangements ahead of the phased return.

JSS Private School in Dubai also told parents that online classes would continue until further notice, while it worked to fulfil all mandatory KHDA requirements.

In a circular signed by principal Chitra Sharma, the school said it was also gauging parent preferences asking families whether they would send their children to school in the absence of bus transport, should the school meet all minimum requirements for reopening.

No buses for now

All schools confirmed there would be no bus services available, in line with government directives.

The UAE Ministry of Education announced on Thursday that school bus operations would be postponed for all public and private nurseries, kindergartens, and schools across the country during the current phase, to allow time for operational readiness in coordination with transport authorities and municipalities. The measure is subject to weekly review.

Sharjah schools take a firmer line

In Sharjah, at least one school has taken a stricter approach. A parent confirmed to Gulf News they had received a circular stating that students who travel by private car would be required to attend school in person — with no option to opt for remote learning.

Students who normally use the school bus, however, would be given a choice between in-person and remote learning. The circular made clear that once a learning method was selected, it could not be changed. If in-person learning was chosen, the parent or guardian would be responsible for dropping off and picking up the student each day. The school said supervisors would contact families to confirm their preferred mode.

Ready, waiting for inspection

Meanwhile, Cognita UAE said it had completed all necessary preparations and was ready to welcome students back at its school. However, the group was still awaiting the completion of a regulatory inspection by KHDA before reopening its campuses.

Managing director Glen Radojkovich said the group intended to resume full in-person learning while also offering an online option for families needing additional flexibility. “We recognise that every family’s situation is different right now,” he said, adding that the return would be gradual and wellbeing-focused, in line with KHDA guidance.

On switching back to remote learning if circumstances change, Radojkovich said Cognita had a well-established online learning framework that could be activated smoothly if needed, combining live teaching, independent study, and regular teacher contact. On staffing for hybrid delivery, he said the group had planned carefully and would put the right structures in place, fully in line with Ministry of Education guidance, with a strong focus on pastoral care alongside academic continuity.