Coffee culture brews in Kurdistan Region as demand surges, fueling local economy
This newfound love for the caffeinated beverage has led to a proliferation of cafes and coffee shops across the region, transforming the local landscape and creating new economic opportunities.
ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) - Coffee, the world's second-largest export commodity after oil, is experiencing a remarkable surge in popularity in the Kurdistan Region.
This newfound love for the caffeinated beverage has led to a proliferation of cafes and coffee shops across the region, transforming the local landscape and creating new economic opportunities.
In recent years, coffee consumption in Kurdistan has grown exponentially, a far cry from its previous obscurity. This demand has spurred the opening of over 50 dedicated coffee shops in Erbil alone, offering a wide variety of beans and brews to cater to discerning palates.
One resident, Hussein Amin, shared his personal coffee journey with Kurdistan 24: "My friends introduced me to coffee to combat sleepiness, and it worked wonders."
Data from FAOSTAT reveals a striking increase in per capita coffee consumption in Iraq, including the Kurdistan Region, from a mere 0.010 kilograms in 2010 to 0.87 kilograms in recent years. Unfortunately, this high demand has also led to the emergence of counterfeit coffee products in the market.
Mohammed Juma, a barista at a bustling Erbil café, prepares over 100 cups of coffee daily, alongside other hot and cold beverages. "Italian and Turkish coffee are particularly popular," he notes, observing fluctuating sales volumes.
Despite ranking 110th globally in coffee consumption, the rising demand in Iraq has significantly impacted the local economy, providing livelihoods for many.
Hemn Rauf, a coffee expert, estimates a current 15% coffee-drinking population, a significant increase from the previous 6%.
The International Coffee Organization predicts a global coffee consumption of 167 million 60-kilogram bags this year, slightly exceeding the projected demand of 165 million bags.
As Kurdistan's coffee culture continues to flourish, it exemplifies the region's openness to global trends and its dynamic economic development.
Further reporting was done by Kurdistan24 correspondent Niyan Barzan.
