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Dubai’s food trade totals $12bn in first half of 2018

Official figures show that rice, milk and sugar dominate Dubai’s trade with foodstuff partners around the world

By Sam Bridge
Rice took the lion’s share of foodstuff trade with AED2.43 billion.
Rice took the lion’s share of foodstuff trade with AED2.43 billion.

Dubai’s external trade in foodstuff totalled AED44.24 billion ($12 billion) in the first half of 2018, according to official figures.

Figures released by Dubai Customs for the Gulfood Manufacturing Exhibition 2018 in Dubai revealed that imports reached AED27.68 billion, exports touched AED7.71 billion, and re-exports recorded AED8.84 billion.

Rice took the lion’s share of foodstuff trade with AED2.43 billion, followed by milk with AED2.13 billion, sugar with AED2.02 billion, nuts with AED1.71 billion, and chocolate with AED1.55 billion.

India was named Dubai’s biggest partner in foodstuff trade in the first half of 2018 with AED3.84 billion, followed by Iraq (AED2.57 billion), the US (AED2.36 billion), and Oman (AED1.58 billion).

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“Promoting external trade in support of national economy is a priority for us at Dubai Customs,” said Nassim Al Mehairi, manager of Statistics Section at Dubai Customs.

“We facilitate the business by introducing the latest and best services in clearing cargo to help a better trade flow of food products from and into the country.

“Dubai has become an essential trade corridor for foodstuffs in the region, owing to its advanced infrastructure and efficient customs services.”

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