The UAE's non-oil foreign trade soared past $1 trillion (Dh3.8 trillion) in 2025 for the first time, up 26% year-on-year, with exports hitting Dh813 billion—a 45% leap. This historic feat, announced by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, accelerates diversification goals, exceeding 95% of 2031 targets early.
The United Arab Emirates marked a groundbreaking moment as non-oil foreign trade volume reached Dh3.8 trillion ($1.03 trillion) in 2025. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum hailed it as proof of visionary policies, resilient partnerships, and private sector dynamism amid global headwinds. Non-oil exports tripled from 2019 levels, while Q4 trade alone set a Dh1.1 trillion quarterly record, up 33.1%.
Core Performance Metrics
-
Total non-oil trade volume at Dh3.8 trillion, surging 26% from 2024
-
Non-oil exports Dh813 billion, 45% growth; imports Dh2.1 trillion, up 25.7%
-
Re-exports Dh830.2 billion, rising 15.7% with top partners up 19.5%
-
Q4 non-oil trade Dh1.1 trillion, highest ever; exports Dh234.4 billion, +53.2%
Leading Export Categories
-
Gold, jewellery, aluminium, cigarettes, and refined petroleum oils dominated
-
Ethylene polymers, copper wires, precious metal compounds, polypropylene polymers, perfumes key risers
-
Top nine categories collectively advanced 64.5% year-on-year
Strategic Growth Engines
-
14 Cepa agreements fueled Dh175.5 billion exports to partners, up 18.2% and 21.6% of total
-
India trade post-2022 Cepa grew 14.7%; top 10 partners expanded 28.9%
-
Projects 5.2% GDP growth for 2026, cementing UAE's trade hub status
This milestone reinforces UAE's pivot to sustainable, high-value sectors like tech, logistics, and manufacturing.
Sources: Gulf News, The National, Trade Arabia, Times of India