By: Economy Middle east

The UAE’s non-oil foreign trade reached approximately AED3.8 trillion ($1.03 trillion) for the first time ever in 2025, recording growth of 27 percent compared to 2024 and 44.3 percent compared to 2023.

It also achieved growth of 65 percent and 97.4 percent compared to 2022 and 2021, respectively, nearing double the value recorded in 2021 and exceeding twice the level of 2019.

Announcing these results, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, stated that the UAE has completed the development of its investment ecosystem, doubled its international partnerships, strengthened cooperation with the private sector and consolidated global confidence in the UAE.

“For the first time in its history, the UAE’s non-oil foreign trade has exceeded $1 trillion (AED3.8 trillion), an increase of 26.8 percent compared to the previous year. Our non-oil exports, according to a new report I reviewed today, exceeded AED813 billion, achieving exceptional growth of 45.5 percent year-on-year,” H.H. Sheikh Mohammed said.

UAE achieves 95 percent of trade targets five years ahead of schedule

He added that these figures were targets the UAE announced three years ago to be achieved by 2031. “We have realized 95 percent of them five years ahead of schedule. Our investment environment is complete, our international partnerships have doubled, our partnerships with the private sector have been strengthened and global confidence in the UAE has been firmly established, thanks be to God,” Sheikh Mohammed added. “We congratulate all our national teams. Our message to them is to double their efforts and further entrench partnerships with the private sector to build a better economic future.”

In the final quarter of 2025, the UAE’s non-oil trade reached AED1.1 trillion for the first time in its history, marking a growth of 33.1 percent. This performance was supported by record growth in non-oil exports, which amounted to AED234.4 billion during the same period, an increase of 53.2 percent compared to the corresponding quarter of 2024 and 12 percent compared to the third quarter of 2025.

By the end of 2025, the contribution of exports rose to 21.6 percent of the UAE’s total non-oil trade for the first time, compared to 18.8 percent at the end of 2024, 16.5 percent in 2022 and just 14.1 percent six years ago in 2019.

Non-oil exports surge to AED813.8 billion in 2025

Non-oil exports reached AED813.8 billion by the end of 2025, achieving growth of more than 45.5 percent compared to 2024 and an increase of 85 percent compared to 2023. This continues their upward trajectory over recent years, surpassing three times the export value recorded in 2019 and more than double the figures of 2021 and 2022.

Non-oil exports were the strongest-performing and fastest-growing component of the UAE’s non-oil merchandise trade, raising their share of total non-oil trade to 21.6 percent and exceeding the targets of the “We the UAE 2031” vision by more than AED13.8 billion.

Among the UAE’s key export partners, exports to countries with Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements (CEPAs) that had entered into force by the end of 2025 — numbering 14 countries — amounted to AED175.5 billion, recording growth of 18.2 percent and accounting for 21.6 percent of the UAE’s total exports to the world during 2025.

The UAE’s principal non-oil exports included gold and jewellery, aluminium, cigarettes, refined petroleum oils, ethylene polymers, copper wires, precious metal compounds, polypropylene polymers and perfumes. Collectively, these achieved growth of 64.5 percent compared to 2024, with the highest growth recorded in precious metal compounds, plastic products, gold and jewellery, perfumes, aluminium and copper wires.

Non-oil imports surpass AED2.1 trillion

Re-exports reached AED830.2 billion ($226 billion) by the end of 2025, recording growth of 15.7 percent compared to 2024, and increases of 21.3 percent and 29 percent compared to 2023 and 2022 respectively.

The UAE’s imports of non-oil goods exceeded AED2.1 trillion ($577.6 billion) in 2025, achieving growth of 25.7 percent compared to 2024. Imports grew by 27.2 percent with the UAE’s top 10 trading partners and by 23.3 percent with the rest of the world.

The leading imported goods during 2025 included gold, mobile phones, cars, petroleum oils, jewellery and related products, diamonds and computers. The top 10 imported goods recorded growth of 32.4 percent, while other goods grew by 16 percent.