Saudi Arabia’s coffee city takes shape with half a million trees

A vast agricultural hub in Al Baha emerges as Kingdom’s first coffee bean producer

Last updated: August 28, 2025 | 18:26

1 MIN READ

Al Baha has emerged as Saudi Arabia’s first major coffee bean producer, positioning itself as a key player in the country’s agricultural diversification plans.

Dubai: Saudi Arabia has announced major progress in building the region’s first coffee-producing city — a vast agricultural hub in Mashouqa, Al Baha — where more than half a million coffee trees have already been planted.

The site, now the largest coffee farm in the Middle East, highlights the Kingdom’s ambition to boost production of one of its most cherished national drinks.

Located in the southwest, the city spans more than 1.6 million square metres. Work is underway to plant an additional 100,000 coffee trees, supported by a dedicated factory, roastery, modern irrigation systems, and transport infrastructure.

With these developments, Al Baha has emerged as Saudi Arabia’s first major coffee bean producer, positioning itself as a key player in the country’s agricultural diversification plans.

The “coffee city” is intended to be the first of several specialised agricultural clusters in the region. Future zones will focus on mangoes, pomegranates, and honey — products long tied to Al Baha’s farming heritage.

Coffee, deeply rooted in Arabian hospitality and culture, is being promoted as both a symbol of tradition and a driver of economic growth.

Through this project, Saudi Arabia aims not only to safeguard its heritage but also to carve out a stronger role in the expanding global coffee industry.

Khitam Al AmirChief News Editor

With over 30 years of journalistic experience spanning from Jordan to the UAE, Khitam has spent the past 22 years reporting on national and regional news from Dubai, with a strong focus on the UAE, GCC and broader Arab affairs. As Chief News Editor, she brings extensive expertise in delivering breaking and engaging news to readers. Beginning her tenure as a translator, she advanced through roles as Senior Translator and Chief Translator before transitioning to editorial positions, culminating in her current leadership role. Her responsibilities encompass monitoring breaking news across the UAE and the broader Arab region, ensuring timely and accurate dissemination to the public. Born into a family of journalists, Khitam's passion for news was ignited early in life. A defining moment in her youth occurred in September 1985 when she had the opportunity to converse with the late British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher during her visit to a Palestinian refugee camp north of Amman. During this encounter, Khitam shared her family's experiences of displacement from their home in Palestine and their subsequent refuge in Jordan. This poignant interaction not only deepened her understanding of geopolitical issues but also solidified her commitment to pursuing a career in journalism, aiming to shed light on the stories of those affected by regional conflicts. Khitam’s commitment to accurate and timely reporting drives her to seek out news that interests readers, making her a trusted source for news on the UAE and the broader Gulf region.