Qatar Matcha Market 2026: Demand, Café Trends, Imports & B2B Opportunities
Qatar’s matcha market is at an early but accelerating stage of development. Specialty cafés in Doha now list matcha lattes alongside karak chai, demand is growing among health-conscious consumers, and the country’s expanding hospitality sector is creating steady wholesale import opportunities. For B2B buyers, importers, and distributors, understanding the demand landscape, the import framework under Qatar’s Ministry of Public Health (MOPH), and the grade requirements for the local market is the essential starting point for entering this GCC market.
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Qatar Matcha Market: 2026 Key Takeaways
Before exploring each dimension in detail, the following points summarise what B2B buyers need to know about the Qatar matcha opportunity in 2026.
- Qatar’s tea market was valued at approximately USD 54.1 million in 2025, with specialty teas including green tea and matcha as the fastest-growing sub-segment (IMARC Group, 2025).
- Qatar’s overall foodservice sector is projected to reach USD 2.18 billion in 2026, creating a large demand base for premium café ingredients such as ceremonial-grade matcha (Mordor Intelligence, 2026).
- Matcha is documented at specialty café menus in Doha, including Flat White and Tabi Boba, with offerings spanning iced matcha lattes, ceremonial bowls, and matcha-based desserts.
- Green tea and matcha imports into Qatar fall under HS heading 0902 (primarily sub-headings 0902.10 and 0902.20); all food products require registration through the MOPH’s Watheq electronic system.
- Halal compliance is governed by GCC standard GSO 2055-1:2015; for a plant-derived product such as matcha powder with no processing additives, halal certification requirements are lower-risk but should be confirmed with the supplier.
- Regional demand signals are strong: Saudi Arabia reported a 900% surge in matcha imports in 2025 (Arab News, 2025), indicating regional category growth that is beginning to reach Qatar.
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Why Demand for Matcha Is Growing in Qatar
Qatar sits within a broader Middle East and North Africa (MENA) trend: matcha is shifting from a niche Japanese specialty to a mainstream café ingredient. Several structural factors are driving this transition in the Qatari market specifically.
Health and Wellness Positioning
Health-conscious millennials and Gen Z consumers in Qatar are driving demand for functional beverages. Matcha is perceived as a natural energy source, an antioxidant-rich ingredient, and a premium alternative to mass-market coffee products. This aligns with a broader wellness-driven category shift that Arab News has reported across the MENA region, with specialty cafés citing matcha lattes as among their top-selling menu items.
Post-World Cup Hospitality Expansion
Qatar’s hospitality and foodservice sector has expanded substantially in the wake of the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Mordor Intelligence projects the country’s foodservice market will grow from USD 2.00 billion in 2025 to USD 2.18 billion in 2026, at approximately 9% per year. This expanding outlet base — hotels, resorts, restaurant groups, and specialty cafés — creates a natural wholesale demand pipeline for premium Japanese matcha. Gulf Times has reported that matcha-based beverages now appear on menus across Doha’s premium café and F&B venues alongside traditional karak chai.
Social Media and Menu Innovation
Instagram and TikTok-driven beverage trends have accelerated matcha’s visibility in GCC markets. Visually distinctive drinks — iced matcha lattes with layered milk, matcha ceremonial bowls, and matcha-based desserts — perform well on social platforms, motivating cafés to include them on seasonal menus. QIC Online has documented matcha’s presence at Doha cafés specifically, noting the dual appeal of Japanese authenticity and wellness credentials. (Arab News, 2024)
Qatar Café Trends: Matcha on Doha Menus
Understanding which formats and grades are in demand locally allows B2B buyers to source the right product specifications for the Qatari market.
Documented Matcha Venues in Doha
QIC Online’s Qatar guide identifies specialty venues already serving matcha in Doha, including Flat White (a local specialty coffee chain) and Tabi Boba (a bubble tea concept at Mall of Qatar). Gulf Times reporting confirms iced matcha lattes and matcha-based desserts as featured offerings. Fast Company Middle East places Doha’s minimalist tea bars in the same regional wave as Dubai’s and Abu Dhabi’s matcha cafés. (QIC Online, 2025)
The Middle East’s wider trajectory offers additional market evidence. Arab News reported in 2025 that Saudi Arabia’s matcha imports surged approximately 900%, with one Saudi café citing matcha lattes at 10.5% of total sales. While this is Saudi data, the structural parallels — GCC customs area, similar demographic profiles, shared digital food trends — make it a relevant forward-looking signal for Qatar’s trajectory.
Grade Requirements for Qatar Hospitality Buyers
The grade tier a buyer requires depends on the application. Qatar’s premium hospitality sector — five-star hotels, international restaurant groups, and specialty cafés — typically specifies ceremonial or premium culinary-grade matcha for latte service and ceremonial preparation. Mid-range cafés and bubble tea outlets commonly use standard culinary grade. OEM buyers and food manufacturers sourcing for ready-to-drink products or confectionery applications use food-grade or processing-grade. No single grade fits all operators: buyers should specify intended use to their supplier before ordering.
Importing Matcha into Qatar: Regulatory and Logistics Framework
Qatar imposes a structured food import control framework administered by the Ministry of Public Health (MOPH). B2B importers must navigate product registration, halal compliance requirements, and HS classification before goods clear customs at Doha’s Hamad Port.
HS Classification for Matcha and Green Tea
Matcha and green tea powder are classified under HS Chapter 09, heading 0902: “Tea, whether or not flavoured.” The two principal sub-headings applicable to imports are:
- HS 0902.10 — Green tea (not fermented) in immediate packings of a content not exceeding 3 kg. Covers retail-ready consumer tins and pouches.
- HS 0902.20 — Green tea (not fermented), other. Typically covers bulk packaging and commercial import quantities of loose or powdered green tea.
Qatar’s national tariff schedule may subdivide these headings at the 8-digit level. UN Comtrade data accessed via Tridge indicates that Qatar’s green tea imports flow primarily under sub-heading 0902.10 with a smaller bulk-import component under 0902.20. Importers should confirm the applicable national sub-heading with Qatar Customs before their first shipment.
MOPH Watheq Food Product Registration
All food products imported into Qatar require registration through MOPH’s Watheq electronic registration system before they can clear customs. The registration process covers product labelling, ingredient declaration, country of origin, shelf-life documentation, and in some cases laboratory analysis. For Japanese matcha, importers should confirm MRL (maximum residue level) compliance for pesticides under Qatar’s applicable standards, as Japan’s agricultural sector uses specific pesticide treatments that may require certificate-of-analysis documentation.
Halal Requirements Under GCC Standard GSO 2055-1:2015
Qatar’s halal import rules are integrated with the GCC harmonised standard GSO 2055-1:2015, administered by the MOPH. For pure matcha powder — a plant-derived product with no animal-derived additives — halal risk is typically lower than for processed foods containing multiple ingredients. However, buyers sourcing for Qatar’s hospitality sector should clarify halal status with their supplier, as some institutional buyers and hotel procurement departments require an authorised halal certificate regardless of product category. Only bodies authorised by the Qatar MOPH may issue halal certificates valid for Qatari import. The MOPH publishes an official Guideline for Importing Halal Food (English version available at qfrs.moph.gov.qa) that outlines current requirements.
B2B Opportunities in the Qatar Matcha Market
The structure of Qatar’s import market — a small country with a high GDP per capita, concentrated distribution through a limited number of large importers and hospitality procurement teams, and a rapidly growing specialty F&B sector — means that matcha demand, while still early-stage, is relatively accessible for a well-prepared B2B supplier.
The clearest near-term demand segments are:
- Specialty café and bubble tea operators in Doha: Require culinary or ceremonial grade for latte service, volumes typically in the 10–50 kg per order range, with preference for consistent flavor and color.
- Five-star hotels and resort F&B teams: Require ceremonial-grade for high-margin beverage programs; procurement is often managed centrally through hotel group purchasing or appointed distributors.
- Importers and distributors building a specialty tea portfolio: Wholesale buyers seeking to position Japanese matcha as a premium offering alongside other specialty teas in the Qatari retail or foodservice channel.
- OEM / food manufacturing (emerging): Companies formulating ready-to-drink beverages, protein supplements, or functional foods for the Qatari or wider GCC market.
Supplier Selection Criteria for Qatar Matcha Buyers
The following checklist supports due diligence when selecting a Japanese matcha supplier for the Qatar market. Evaluate any supplier — including JMEX — against these criteria before committing to a purchase order.
| Criterion | What to verify with any supplier |
|---|---|
| Grade and specification options | Confirm available grades (ceremonial / premium culinary / standard culinary / food-grade / OEM), and that specification sheets (particle size, color, flavor) are provided per grade. |
| Certifications | Organic JAS certification (if required); halal certificate from a Qatar MOPH-authorised body if the buyer’s procurement team requires it; COA with pesticide MRL data aligned with Qatar/GCC standards. |
| Export documentation for Qatar | Phytosanitary certificate, certificate of origin (Japan), health certificate, and MOPH Watheq registration support the supplier can provide. |
| MOQ and trial lot availability | Minimum order quantity for initial trials and for ongoing supply; confirm whether sample quantities (1–5 kg) are available before full commitment. |
| Lead time and shipping terms | Typical lead time from order to FOB Japan; CIF/CIP Doha availability; estimated sea freight transit time (Japan → Hamad Port, Qatar). |
| Batch consistency and quality control | Internal QC process for color (CIE L*a*b*), particle size, and microbial safety; frequency of third-party lab testing; traceability to harvest lot. |
| Supply stability | Whether the supplier can commit to consistent annual volumes given Japan’s constrained tencha (shade-grown tea leaf) supply base. |
Why Buyers Choose JMEX (Japan Matcha Export Organization)
One supplier that meets these criteria at a high level is JMEX (Japan Matcha Export Organization), a wholesale and export partner dedicated to bringing Japanese matcha overseas. It designs origin selection, quality assurance, export documentation, and logistics as one continuous flow, built for export from the start.
JMEX applies this expertise in practice: it matches cultivar, processing, and grade to your use and, backed by an export track record across 43 countries, pairs the technical fit with the export documentation buyers need.
Frequently Asked Questions: Qatar Matcha Market
Is matcha popular in Qatar?
Matcha is a growing but still early-stage category in Qatar. Specialty cafés in Doha, including Flat White and Tabi Boba, now offer matcha lattes and matcha-based beverages. Health and wellness trends, social-media influence, and the country’s expanding hospitality sector are the primary drivers. The market is smaller than the UAE or Saudi Arabia at this stage, but demand is documented and growing.
How do you import matcha into Qatar?
Matcha imports into Qatar require: (1) classification under HS 0902 (sub-heading 0902.10 or 0902.20 depending on packaging size); (2) registration of the product through the MOPH Watheq electronic system before the goods arrive; (3) a phytosanitary certificate and certificate of origin from Japan; and (4) confirmation that the product meets Qatar’s MRL standards. Working with a supplier experienced in GCC export documentation reduces the risk of customs delays.
Does matcha need halal certification for the Qatar market?
For pure matcha powder — a single-ingredient plant product — halal risk is relatively low, as it contains no animal-derived components. However, some hotel procurement teams and institutional buyers in Qatar require a halal certificate regardless of category. Qatar’s halal framework follows GCC standard GSO 2055-1:2015, administered by the MOPH. Ask your supplier whether they hold a halal certificate from an MOPH-authorised body if your end buyers require one.
What grade of matcha do Doha cafés typically use?
Specialty cafés and premium hotel beverage programs typically specify ceremonial or premium culinary grade for latte service, valued for their bright green color and smooth flavor without bitterness. Standard culinary grade is more common at bubble tea and mid-range café operators where cost-per-serving is a higher priority. OEM and food manufacturing applications use food-grade or processing-grade matcha.
What is the HS code for matcha imports into Qatar?
Matcha and green tea powder are classified under HS Chapter 09, heading 0902. Sub-heading 0902.10 covers green tea in consumer packs (3 kg or less); 0902.20 covers other green tea, typically bulk commercial quantities. Qatar’s national tariff may further subdivide at the 8-digit level. Confirm the applicable sub-heading with Qatar Customs or your freight forwarder before the first shipment.
How does the Qatar matcha market compare to other GCC countries?
Qatar’s matcha market is in an earlier stage than the UAE and Saudi Arabia, both of which have more established specialty café scenes and a larger retail base. Saudi Arabia’s matcha imports reportedly surged approximately 900% in 2025 (Arab News), reflecting the region’s rapid category adoption. Qatar is on a similar trajectory, accelerated by its growing hospitality sector and the same social-media and wellness trends driving demand across the GCC.
Sources & Methodology
This article draws on the following primary and authoritative sources:
- IMARC Group, Qatar Tea Market, 2025 — market size (USD 54.1 million).
- Mordor Intelligence / Scotts International, Qatar Foodservice Market 2026–2031 — sector size and growth rate.
- IFP Information, Qatar tea imports, 2024 — total import volume (4,200 tons, +3.7% YoY).
- Arab News, “Can the matcha green tea wave topple the Middle East’s coffee culture?”, 2024 — regional demand context.
- Arab News, “Saudi matcha imports surge 900% as demand reshapes Kingdom’s café sector”, 2025 — regional import trend.
- Gulf Times, Qatar F&B sector reporting, 2025 — Doha café menu documentation.
- QIC Online, “Where to Find Matcha in Qatar”, 2025 — Doha venue documentation.
- Qatar Ministry of Public Health, Guideline for Importing Halal Food, 2022 — halal framework (GSO 2055-1:2015).
- UN Comtrade / Tridge, Qatar green tea imports under HS 0902 — trade flow pointer.
Editorial transparency: Figures from commercial market research providers (IMARC Group, Mordor Intelligence) are vendor estimates; methodologies and coverage definitions vary between providers and should not be compared across sources without adjusting for scope. The Saudi import surge figure is cited as a regional directional indicator, not as a Qatar-specific statistic. No JMEX-specific pricing, MOQ, or capacity figures are cited in this article.
Learn More About Global Matcha Trends at Matcha Times
Matcha Times is a specialist media platform covering the global matcha market — sourcing and wholesale, supply and pricing, trade and regulations, production and origins, and the companies shaping the industry.
From market analysis and price trends to café case studies and interviews with tea farmers, we help buyers, importers, distributors, and manufacturers stay ahead of where matcha is heading. Explore more and put the global matcha market to work for your business.
Conclusion: Entering the Qatar Matcha Market
Qatar’s matcha market is in an early-growth phase, with documented demand from Doha’s specialty café sector and a large and expanding hospitality industry creating a viable wholesale opportunity for the right supplier. Suppliers who can deliver consistent quality, correct documentation — including MOPH Watheq registration support and COA with MRL data — and flexible grade options from ceremonial through to OEM are best positioned to convert Qatar’s growing demand into a durable supply relationship.
For importers and distributors considering Qatar as a first or expanded GCC market entry, the combination of a high-spending consumer base, a growing specialty café ecosystem, and the structural demand pull from Qatar’s hospitality sector makes 2026 a well-timed entry window.
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