Export Overview 2024
Total UAE exports, including re-exports, reached approximately USD 424 billion in 2024, reinforcing the country’s position as the leading trade hub in the Middle East. Crude oil and refined petroleum products remained the single largest export category, though non-oil exports continued to gain share, reaching an estimated 62% of total export value.
Re-exports accounted for approximately USD 192 billion, reflecting the UAE’s established role as a regional redistribution centre, particularly through Dubai’s free zones.
Top Export Products
| Product Category | Export Value (USD bn) | Share of Total (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Crude Oil & Petroleum | 112.4 | 26.5 |
| Gold & Precious Metals | 68.2 | 16.1 |
| Refined Petroleum Products | 32.8 | 7.7 |
| Aluminium & Products | 18.6 | 4.4 |
| Electronics & Machinery | 24.3 | 5.7 |
| Plastics & Polymers | 14.1 | 3.3 |
| Diamonds & Gemstones | 31.7 | 7.5 |
| Food & Agricultural Products | 8.4 | 2.0 |
Top Export Destinations
| Country | Export Value (USD bn) | Share (%) |
|---|---|---|
| India | 48.6 | 11.5 |
| Japan | 36.2 | 8.5 |
| China | 33.8 | 8.0 |
| Saudi Arabia | 26.4 | 6.2 |
| Iraq | 18.7 | 4.4 |
| South Korea | 16.3 | 3.8 |
| Switzerland | 22.1 | 5.2 |
| Singapore | 14.8 | 3.5 |
Non-Oil Export Growth
Non-oil exports have been a central pillar of the UAE’s diversification strategy. The government targets non-oil foreign trade of AED 4 trillion annually by 2031 under the We the UAE framework.
| Year | Non-Oil Exports (USD bn) | Growth (% YoY) | Share of Total (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 148.3 | -8.4 | 52.1 |
| 2022 | 214.6 | 18.2 | 56.8 |
| 2023 | 241.8 | 12.7 | 59.4 |
| 2024 | 263.1 | 8.8 | 62.0 |
Re-Export Activity
The UAE’s re-export trade, concentrated through Jebel Ali Free Zone, Dubai Multi Commodities Centre, and Sharjah’s Hamriyah Free Zone, serves as a logistics bridge between Asian manufacturing centres and markets across Africa, the Middle East, and Central Asia. Electronics, machinery, textiles, and automotive parts dominate re-export volumes.
Outlook
Export growth is forecast to moderate to 5-7% annually through 2027, with non-oil categories expected to outpace hydrocarbon exports as production caps persist and manufacturing output scales under Operation 300bn.