MAP IT FORWARD Middle East
MAP IT FORWARD Middle East
MAP IT FORWARD
The Map It Forward Middle East Podcast explores the business of coffee across the Middle East, featuring conversations with entrepreneurs, producers, and professionals building the future of the region’s coffee industry. Hosted by Dubai-based Map It Forward founder Lee Safar, each five-episode series highlights one guest's journey, offering practical insights, regional context, and candid discussions that reflect the evolving global coffee landscape. Episodes are released daily at 6 am local UAE time. The video version of the podcast can be found on our YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/mapitforward Our website https://www.mapitforward.coffee/middleeastpodcast
EP 925 Osamah Alawwam - The Opportunities Ahead In Specialty Coffee - Map It Forward Middle East Podcast Lee Safar
This episode is brought to you by Belco's upcoming 2-day Roaster's Camp in Ethiopia and Colombia in 2026. Don't miss this great opportunity to go to origin. Connect with Alex Fremond from Belco on WhatsApp here: https://wa.me/33645956797 or email [email protected] •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• This is the 5th of a five-part podcast series on The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward with Osamah Alawwam, co-founder of The Roasting House based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This series first aired on the Map It Forward Middle East Podcast. In this series, Osamah and Lee explore the challenges of running a business in the Middle East. The 5 episodes in this series are: 1. A Coffee Entrepreneur in Saudi Arabia - https://youtu.be/G79Fxr6_e_Y 2. Building The Roasting House - https://youtu.be/hguVnGWvqqs 3. The Role Of Specialty Coffee In Brazil - https://youtu.be/YvOu0uolUq0 4. Converting Brazilians to Specialty Coffee Drinkers - https://youtu.be/aEH2HGWlx-c 5. The Sins of the Past for Brazilian Coffee - https://youtu.be/iqIUZjNWv98 In this final episode of the podcast series, Lee and Osamah discuss the critical challenges and opportunities faced by the coffee industry, particularly in the Middle East. They address the alarming forecast that coffee may disappear by 2050 due to climate change and geopolitical issues. They speak about the significant decrease in coffee production, the urgent need for sustainable agricultural practices, and the role of innovative methods like co-fermentation in improving coffee quality. The conversation also covers initiatives in Saudi Arabia to grow resilient coffee varieties and the potential for regenerative agriculture. Osamah shares his hopes for the future and emphasizes the importance of solving the root causes threatening coffee production. Connect with Osamah Alawwam and The Roasting House here: https://www.instagram.com/roastinghousesa/ https://www.instagram.com/oalawwam/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/oalawwam/ •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• The Daily Coffee Pro by Map It Forward Podcast Host: Lee Safar https://www.mapitforward.coffee https://www.instagram.com/mapitforward.coffee https://www.instagram.com/leesafar
Dec 12, 2025
26 min
EP 924 Osamah Alawwam - Middle Eastern Culture and Business in Coffee - Map It Forward Middle East Podcast Lee Safar
This episode is brought to you by The Honduran Coffee Alliance - connecting Honduran coffee producers with global buyers in a fair, sustainable, commercially viable way Connect with Sean Warner from the Honduran Coffee Alliance on WhatsApp here: https://wa.me/50487350786 or email [email protected] •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• This is the 4th of a five-part podcast series on The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward with Osamah Alawwam, co-founder of The Roasting House based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This series first aired on the Map It Forward Middle East Podcast. In this series, Osamah and Lee explore the challenges of running a business in the Middle East. The 5 episodes in this series are: 1. A Coffee Entrepreneur in Saudi Arabia - https://youtu.be/G79Fxr6_e_Y 2. Building The Roasting House - https://youtu.be/hguVnGWvqqs 3. The Role Of Specialty Coffee In Brazil - https://youtu.be/YvOu0uolUq0 4. Converting Brazilians to Specialty Coffee Drinkers - https://youtu.be/aEH2HGWlx-c 5. The Sins of the Past for Brazilian Coffee - https://youtu.be/iqIUZjNWv98 In this episode of the podcast series, Lee and Osamah discuss the cultural barriers and challenges faced by business owners in the Middle Eastern specialty coffee industry. They cover difficulties such as initiating customer interactions across genders, the impact of cultural awareness, and the importance of owner involvement in the success of businesses. The episode also touches upon the role of social media in the coffee industry and delves into generational business dynamics and the complexities of entrepreneurship. Connect with Osamah Alawwam and The Roasting House here: https://www.instagram.com/roastinghousesa/ https://www.instagram.com/oalawwam/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/oalawwam/ •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• The Daily Coffee Pro by Map It Forward Podcast Host: Lee Safar https://www.mapitforward.coffee https://www.instagram.com/mapitforward.coffee https://www.instagram.com/leesafar
Dec 11, 2025
25 min
EP 923 Osamah Alawwam - The Challenges of Doing Business In The Middle East - Map It Forward Middle East Podcast Lee Safar
This episode is brought to you by Belco's upcoming 2-day Roaster's Camp in Ethiopia and Colombia in 2026. Don't miss this great opportunity to go to origin. Connect with Alex Fremond from Belco on WhatsApp here: https://wa.me/33645956797 or email [email protected] •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• This is the 3rd of a five-part podcast series on The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward with Osamah Alawwam, co-founder of The Roasting House based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This series first aired on the Map It Forward Middle East Podcast. In this series, Osamah and Lee explore the challenges of running a business in the Middle East. The 5 episodes in this series are: 1. A Coffee Entrepreneur in Saudi Arabia - https://youtu.be/G79Fxr6_e_Y 2. Building The Roasting House - https://youtu.be/hguVnGWvqqs 3. The Role Of Specialty Coffee In Brazil - https://youtu.be/YvOu0uolUq0 4. Converting Brazilians to Specialty Coffee Drinkers - https://youtu.be/aEH2HGWlx-c 5. The Sins of the Past for Brazilian Coffee - https://youtu.be/iqIUZjNWv98 In this episode of the podcast series, Lee Safar and Osamah discuss the multifaceted challenges and opportunities within the Middle Eastern business ecosystems. They explore issues like saudiization, the global financial crisis, and the impact of COVID-19 on the coffee industry. Osamah shares insights on how the coffee business can navigate difficulties, adapt to logistical issues, and embrace local talent. Additionally, they highlight the cultural challenges of employing locals in roles such as baristas and the immense professional growth available within the coffee industry. Tune in to gain a deeper understanding of the dynamics shaping the Middle Eastern coffee scene and valuable lessons on resilience and innovation. Connect with Osamah Alawwam and The Roasting House here: https://www.instagram.com/roastinghousesa/ https://www.instagram.com/oalawwam/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/oalawwam/ •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• The Daily Coffee Pro by Map It Forward Podcast Host: Lee Safar https://www.mapitforward.coffee https://www.instagram.com/mapitforward.coffee https://www.instagram.com/leesafar
Dec 10, 2025
22 min
EP 922 Osamah Alawwam - Building The Roasting House - Map It Forward Middle East Podcast Lee Safar
This episode is brought to you by Arkena Coffee Marketplace - Connecting you to the next coffee harvest in Ethiopia through direct trade. https://arkenacoffee.com/ https://www.instagram.com/arkenacoffee/ Email: [email protected] •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• This is the 2nd of a five-part podcast series on The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward with Osamah Alawwam, co-founder of The Roasting House based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This series first aired on the Map It Forward Middle East Podcast. In this series, Osamah and Lee explore the challenges of running a business in the Middle East. The 5 episodes in this series are: 1. A Coffee Entrepreneur in Saudi Arabia - https://youtu.be/G79Fxr6_e_Y 2. Building The Roasting House - https://youtu.be/hguVnGWvqqs 3. The Role Of Specialty Coffee In Brazil - https://youtu.be/YvOu0uolUq0 4. Converting Brazilians to Specialty Coffee Drinkers - https://youtu.be/aEH2HGWlx-c 5. The Sins of the Past for Brazilian Coffee - https://youtu.be/iqIUZjNWv98 In this episode of the podcast series, Lee and Osamah discuss how he built the Roasting House business with a vision to elevate coffee standards and spread specialty coffee culture. From starting with a small shop to creating a community-driven coffee scene, Osamah shares insights on the role of education, market research, and the impact of the Saudi Vision 2030 on business development. Join us as we explore the challenges and triumphs of establishing a successful coffee business in the Middle East. Connect with Osamah Alawwam and The Roasting House here: https://www.instagram.com/roastinghousesa/ https://www.instagram.com/oalawwam/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/oalawwam/ •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• The Daily Coffee Pro by Map It Forward Podcast Host: Lee Safar https://www.mapitforward.coffee https://www.instagram.com/mapitforward.coffee https://www.instagram.com/leesafar
Dec 9, 2025
22 min
EP 921 Osamah Alawwam - A Coffee Entrepreneur In Saudi Arabia - Map It Forward Middle East Podcast Lee Safar
This episode is brought to you by Belco's upcoming 2-day Roaster's Camp in Ethiopia and Colombia in 2026. Don't miss this great opportunity to go to origin. Connect with Alex Fremond from Belco on WhatsApp here: https://wa.me/33645956797 or email [email protected] •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• This is the first of a five-part podcast series on The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward with Osamah Alawwam, co-founder of The Roasting House based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This series first aired on the Map It Forward Middle East Podcast. In this series, Osamah and Lee explore the challenges of running a business in the Middle East. The 5 episodes in this series are: 1. A Coffee Entrepreneur in Saudi Arabia - https://youtu.be/G79Fxr6_e_Y 2. Building The Roasting House - https://youtu.be/hguVnGWvqqs 3. The Role Of Specialty Coffee In Brazil - https://youtu.be/YvOu0uolUq0 4. Converting Brazilians to Specialty Coffee Drinkers - https://youtu.be/aEH2HGWlx-c 5. The Sins of the Past for Brazilian Coffee - https://youtu.be/iqIUZjNWv98 In this episode of the podcast series, Osamah shares his entrepreneurial journey, discussing how he transitioned from the corporate world to starting his own coffee business in Saudi Arabia. He emphasizes the importance of finding the right financial and intellectual partners, and the challenges he faced in sourcing quality green beans. The conversation also touches on the evolving business landscape in Saudi Arabia and the impact of global geopolitical events on the coffee industry. Connect with Osamah Alawwam and The Roasting House here: https://www.instagram.com/roastinghousesa/ https://www.instagram.com/oalawwam/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/oalawwam/ •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• The Daily Coffee Pro by Map It Forward Podcast Host: Lee Safar https://www.mapitforward.coffee https://www.instagram.com/mapitforward.coffee https://www.instagram.com/leesafar
Dec 8, 2025
21 min
EP 920 Carley Garner - Coffee Futures Markets in 2026 - Map It Forward Middle East Podcast Lee Safar
Looking for B2B advertising on our podcast for the coffee industry: [email protected] or DM us here https://www.instagram.com/mapitforward.coffee/ •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• This is episode five of a 5-part podcast series on The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward, hosted by Lee Safar and featuring returning guest Carley Garner. Carley is a commodity broker and the founder of US-based commodity brokerage firm, DeCarley Trading. In this series, Lee and Carley discuss the coffee futures market in 2025 and 2026. No information in this series is financial advice and trading comes at the risk of losing money. The five episodes of this series are: 1. 2025 Has Been An Unusual Year in Coffee Futures - https://youtu.be/fuyIL1PJjN8 2. The Forces That Moved Coffee Futures in 2025 - https://youtu.be/7-I7iduViAQ 3. Taking Advantages of High Coffee Prices Outside the Cash Market - https://youtu.be/djwdbraAi2w 4. Speculators Are Important To The Coffee Futures Market - https://youtu.be/K_Z6lny-wsI 5. Coffee Futures Markets in 2026 - https://youtu.be/TG_TUCwi7eA In this final episode of the podcast series, Lee and Carley discuss the volatility of the coffee market and what producers can expect for 2025 and 2026. They delve into factors affecting coffee prices, including market trends, speculation, and economic influences. The conversation also covers the challenges smallholder farmers face and the impact of technology on commodity pricing. Additionally, they explore how recent geopolitical factors and market behaviors could drive future price fluctuations. The episode concludes with advice on how small businesses in the coffee industry can navigate these turbulent times. Connect with Carley and DeCarley Trading at: https://www.decarleytrading.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/carleygarner/ https://www.instagram.com/decarleytrading/ https://decarleytrading.substack.com/ https://www.decarleytrading.com/learn-to-trade-commodities •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• The Daily Coffee Pro by Map It Forward Podcast Host: Lee Safar https://www.mapitforward.coffee https://www.instagram.com/mapitforward.coffee https://www.instagram.com/leesafar
Dec 5, 2025
38 min
EP 919 Carley Garner - Speculators Are Important To The Coffee Futures Market - Map It Forward Middle East Podcast Lee Safar
Looking for B2B advertising on our podcast for the coffee industry: [email protected] or DM us here https://www.instagram.com/mapitforward.coffee/ •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• This is episode four of a 5-part podcast series on The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward, hosted by Lee Safar and featuring returning guest Carley Garner. Carley is a commodity broker and the founder of US-based commodity brokerage firm, DeCarley Trading. In this series, Lee and Carley discuss the coffee futures market in 2025 and 2026. No information in this series is financial advice and trading comes at the risk of losing money. The five episodes of this series are: 1. 2025 Has Been An Unusual Year in Coffee Futures - https://youtu.be/fuyIL1PJjN8 2. The Forces That Moved Coffee Futures in 2025 - https://youtu.be/7-I7iduViAQ 3. Taking Advantages of High Coffee Prices Outside the Cash Market - https://youtu.be/djwdbraAi2w 4. Speculators Are Important To The Coffee Futures Market - https://youtu.be/K_Z6lny-wsI 5. Coffee Futures Markets in 2026 - https://youtu.be/TG_TUCwi7eA In this episode of the podcast series, Lee and Carley discuss the crucial role of speculators in the coffee futures market. Discover how speculators provide liquidity, affect pricing, and why their participation can prevent market volatility. Learn about the significant challenges coffee farmers face, such as high interest rates on agricultural loans and the generational knowledge gap in hedging tools. Understand the vital connection between speculators and traders, and how the industry's dynamics may impact coffee production in the years ahead. Connect with Carley and DeCarley Trading at: https://www.decarleytrading.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/carleygarner/ https://www.instagram.com/decarleytrading/ https://decarleytrading.substack.com/ https://www.decarleytrading.com/learn-to-trade-commodities •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• The Daily Coffee Pro by Map It Forward Podcast Host: Lee Safar https://www.mapitforward.coffee https://www.instagram.com/mapitforward.coffee https://www.instagram.com/leesafar
Dec 4, 2025
21 min
EP 918 Carley Garner - Taking Advantages of High Coffee Prices Outside the Cash Market - Map It Forward Middle East Podcast Lee Safar
Looking to join an interesting monthly live coffee industry online meetup? - Exclusively for "Roasted Coffee" Patreon backers. https://www.patreon.com/mapitforward •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• This is episode three of a 5-part podcast series on The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward, hosted by Lee Safar and featuring returning guest Carley Garner. Carley is a commodity broker and the founder of US-based commodity brokerage firm, DeCarley Trading. In this series, Lee and Carley discuss the coffee futures market in 2025 and 2026. No information in this series is financial advice and trading comes at the risk of losing money. The five episodes of this series are: 1. 2025 Has Been An Unusual Year in Coffee Futures - https://youtu.be/fuyIL1PJjN8 2. The Forces That Moved Coffee Futures in 2025 - https://youtu.be/7-I7iduViAQ 3. Taking Advantages of High Coffee Prices Outside the Cash Market - https://youtu.be/djwdbraAi2w 4. Speculators Are Important To The Coffee Futures Market - https://youtu.be/K_Z6lny-wsI 5. Coffee Futures Markets in 2026 - https://youtu.be/TG_TUCwi7eA In this episode of the podcast series, Lee and Carley explore hedging strategies for coffee producers to manage risk in the volatile coffee market of 2025 and 2026. They discuss the use of options as a tool for both producers and roasters to navigate market fluctuations, emphasizing the importance of not being fully in or out of hedging. Carly offers detailed insights into the costs and complexities of hedging, and practical examples for producers looking to protect themselves from market downturns. Join the next episode to learn about the role of speculators in the coffee market. Connect with Carley and DeCarley Trading at: https://www.decarleytrading.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/carleygarner/ https://www.instagram.com/decarleytrading/ https://decarleytrading.substack.com/ https://www.decarleytrading.com/learn-to-trade-commodities •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• The Daily Coffee Pro by Map It Forward Podcast Host: Lee Safar https://www.mapitforward.coffee https://www.instagram.com/mapitforward.coffee https://www.instagram.com/leesafar
Dec 3, 2025
24 min
EP 917 Carley Garner - The Forces That Moved Coffee Futures in 2025 - Map It Forward Middle East Podcast Lee Safar
This episode is brought to you by Arkena Coffee Marketplace - Connecting you to the next coffee harvest in Ethiopia through direct trade. https://arkenacoffee.com/ https://www.instagram.com/arkenacoffee/ Email: [email protected] •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• This is episode two of a 5-part podcast series on The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward, hosted by Lee Safar and featuring returning guest Carley Garner. Carley is a commodity broker and the founder of US-based commodity brokerage firm, DeCarley Trading. In this series, Lee and Carley discuss the coffee futures market in 2025 and 2026. No information in this series is financial advice and trading comes at the risk of losing money. The five episodes of this series are: 1. 2025 Has Been An Unusual Year in Coffee Futures - https://youtu.be/fuyIL1PJjN8 2. The Forces That Moved Coffee Futures in 2025 - https://youtu.be/7-I7iduViAQ 3. Taking Advantages of High Coffee Prices Outside the Cash Market - https://youtu.be/djwdbraAi2w 4. Speculators Are Important To The Coffee Futures Market - https://youtu.be/K_Z6lny-wsI 5. Coffee Futures Markets in 2026 - https://youtu.be/TG_TUCwi7eA In this episode of the podcast series, Lee and Carley dive into the complexities of the coffee market, focusing on the differences between cash and futures markets. They explore how emotional factors and external forces like tariffs and currency fluctuations impact market rationality. The discussion also highlights the importance of direct trade and the challenges of implementing minimum pricing for farmers. Additionally, the episode touches on tools available to farmers for risk management and the impact of government subsidies on agricultural commodities. Tune in to gain insights into navigating the volatile coffee market and managing financial risks effectively. Connect with Carley and DeCarley Trading at: https://www.decarleytrading.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/carleygarner/ https://www.instagram.com/decarleytrading/ https://decarleytrading.substack.com/ https://www.decarleytrading.com/learn-to-trade-commodities •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• The Daily Coffee Pro by Map It Forward Podcast Host: Lee Safar https://www.mapitforward.coffee https://www.instagram.com/mapitforward.coffee https://www.instagram.com/leesafar
Dec 2, 2025
28 min
EP 916 Carley Garner - 2025 Has Been An Unusual Year in Coffee Futures - Map It Forward Middle East Podcast Lee Safar
This episode is brought to you by The Honduran Coffee Alliance - connecting Honduran coffee producers with global buyers in a fair, sustainable, commercially viable way Connect with Sean Warner from the Honduran Coffee Alliance on WhatsApp here: https://wa.me/50487350786 or email [email protected] •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• This is episode one of a 5-part podcast series on The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward, hosted by Lee Safar and featuring returning guest Carley Garner. Carley is a commodity broker and the founder of US-based commodity brokerage firm, DeCarley Trading. In this series, Lee and Carley discuss the coffee futures market in 2025 and 2026. No information in this series is financial advice and trading comes at the risk of losing money. The five episodes of this series are: 1. 2025 Has Been An Unusual Year in Coffee Futures - https://youtu.be/fuyIL1PJjN8 2. The Forces That Moved Coffee Futures in 2025 - https://youtu.be/7-I7iduViAQ 3. Taking Advantages of High Coffee Prices Outside the Cash Market - https://youtu.be/djwdbraAi2w 4. Speculators Are Important To The Coffee Futures Market - https://youtu.be/K_Z6lny-wsI 5. Coffee Futures Markets in 2026 - https://youtu.be/TG_TUCwi7eA In this episode of the podcast series, Lee and Carley delve into the extraordinary volatility in the coffee futures market in 2025. They discuss the unusual correlation between unrelated markets such as gold, tech stocks, and coffee, and the impact of massive monetary input into the system. Carley shares her insights into the human behavior driving these market fluctuations, the role of speculators, and what farmers and industry professionals can learn to navigate such tumultuous times. The episode aims to provide better understanding and tools for managing the coffee market's unpredictability. Connect with Carley and DeCarley Trading at: https://www.decarleytrading.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/carleygarner/ https://www.instagram.com/decarleytrading/ https://decarleytrading.substack.com/ https://www.decarleytrading.com/learn-to-trade-commodities •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• The Daily Coffee Pro by Map It Forward Podcast Host: Lee Safar https://www.mapitforward.coffee https://www.instagram.com/mapitforward.coffee https://www.instagram.com/leesafar
Dec 1, 2025
25 min
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