Are Coffee Beans Cultivated in Saudi Arabia

Yes, coffee beans are cultivated in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The mountainous highlands of the southwest part of the Kingdom, particularly the provinces of Jazan, al-Bahah, and Aseer, are the most productive; with an annual production of 1,810 t of Arabian coffee beans in these mountain provinces. Additionally, there are nearly 2,535 farms containing about four hundred thousand coffee plants.

Jazan Province encompasses more than 1985 coffee farms containing 340,000 coffee plants in the governorates of al-Qitaa al-Jabali ad-Da'ir, Fayfa, al-'Idabi, Hurub, ar-Rayth, and al-Aridah, producing around 1320 t annually. Coffee farms in the mountainous governorates within Aseer Province come next, housing over three hundred farms comprising forty thousand plants that produce two hundred t of coffee beans. Finally, al-Bahah Province encompasses more than 250 coffee farms containing 18,000 coffee plants that produce forty t annually.

The Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture aims to turn thirteen governorates in the southwest part of the Kingdom into significant coffee bean producers, especially Khawlani coffee beans, which are renowned for their high quality in comparison to other types of coffee. Additionally, it aims to increase the Kingdom's coffee production percentage to support the national economy in line with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030.

Moreover, Saudis spend over SAR1 billion on coffee preparation. This significantly boosts efforts to expand coffee cultivation to achieve self-sufficiency in domestic production and export in the future.

Coffee cultivation in the Kingdom holds a notable cultural value with unique significance. It was known as an inherited profession in the Kingdom, that began six hundred years ago, to meet the personal needs of farmers. The local product of the coffee fruit is associated with Saudi coffee preparation, which is served at gatherings and social events in the Kingdom. It is considered a cultural symbol of the Kingdom. The year 2022 was named the Year of Saudi Coffee, as an official tribute to it at the national level to celebrate coffee and the methods of preparing and presenting to guests.