Asan Tata— November 9, 2026The UAE has come closer than ever to a major trade milestone. In the first nine months of 2026, UAE non-oil trade reached AED 2.945 trillion. That is up 10.1% on the same period last year, and it puts the AED 3 trillion mark within reach for the first time.
The figures were announced by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, on 8 November 2026, and published in full by the Emirates News Agency (WAM) the same day.
Trade is one of the biggest parts of the UAE economy. This article explains the figures, what sits behind them, and what they could mean for people living and working in the UAE.
Quick Answer
The UAE’s non-oil foreign trade reached AED 2.945 trillion between January and September 2026, up 10.1% on the same period in 2025. Non-oil exports hit a record AED 705.8 billion, up 21.6%, while imports reached AED 1.661 trillion and re-exports totalled AED 578 billion. Exports to the UAE’s ten largest trading partners rose 31.6%. Record exports drove the growth, helped by the UAE’s trade deals (CEPAs), which now cover 23 countries.
What Non-Oil Foreign Trade Means
Non-oil foreign trade covers all goods the UAE buys and sells abroad, except crude oil and petroleum products. It has three parts: exports, goods made or processed in the UAE and sold overseas; imports, goods bought from other countries for use in the UAE; and re-exports, goods that arrive in the UAE and are then shipped on to another country.
The UAE’s location between Asia, Europe and Africa, its ports at Jebel Ali and Khalifa, and its free zones make it a natural hub for goods moving between continents. That is why the government tracks non-oil trade so closely: it shows how far the economy has moved beyond oil.
Exports now make up 24.0% of total non-oil foreign trade, up from 21.7% a year earlier. In other words, the UAE is selling more of its own goods abroad, not just passing other countries’ goods through its ports.
UAE Non-Oil Trade: The Headline Numbers for January to September 2026
The table below sets out the main figures published by WAM on 8 November 2026.
| Measure | Value | Change on 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Total non-oil foreign trade | AED 2.945 trillion | Up 10.1% |
| Non-oil exports | AED 705.8 billion | Up 21.6% |
| Imports | AED 1.661 trillion | Up 11.5% |
| Re-exports | AED 578 billion | Not stated |
| Exports to top ten partners | Not stated | Up 31.6% |
| Export share of total trade | 24.0% | Up from 21.7% |
The growth is even more striking over a longer period. Compared with the first nine months of 2024, non-oil foreign trade is up 37.2%. Compared with the same period of 2023, when it stood at AED 1.9 trillion, it is up 55.2%. In 2019, the figure for the same nine months did not pass AED 1.3 trillion. The UAE has more than doubled its nine-month non-oil trade in seven years.
The first half of 2026 already pointed to a strong year, with trade of AED 1.937 trillion, up 13.1% on the same period last year.
Exports Hit a Record High
Exports are the star of the 2026 figures. Non-oil exports reached AED 705.8 billion in the first nine months, a record for the period and up 21.6% on last year. In September 2026, monthly exports passed AED 100 billion for the first time ever.
Quarterly exports have now passed AED 200 billion for five quarters in a row, from the third quarter of 2025 through the third quarter of 2026.
Compared with the first nine months of 2024, non-oil exports are up 73.7%.
Gold, jewellery and tobacco products topped the list of exported goods, and exports of the top ten commodities rose 35.8% year on year.
Exports to the ten largest trading partners rose 31.6%. At the same time, trade with the rest of the world grew 11.9%, faster than the 8.3% growth with the top ten partners. That shows the UAE is reaching new markets, not just selling more to its existing partners.
How the Quarters Compare in 2026
Trade was spread fairly evenly across the year, with the third quarter the strongest. The table below shows the quarterly totals published by WAM.
| Quarter | Non-oil foreign trade | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Q1 2026 | AED 997.1 billion | Strong start to the year |
| Q2 2026 | AED 922.9 billion | Slowest quarter of the three |
| Q3 2026 | AED 1.025 trillion | Up 7.1% on Q3 2025, up 11.1% on Q2 |
| Jan-Sep 2026 total | AED 2.945 trillion | Up 10.1% on Jan-Sep 2025 |
Trade of AED 1.025 trillion in three months is a record for a single quarter, and exports in that quarter reached AED 256.1 billion.
Trade Deals Are Doing Much of the Work
A big reason for the growth is the UAE’s network of Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements, known as CEPAs. These are trade deals that cut tariffs, ease the movement of goods and open markets for UAE exporters.
As of 20 October 2026, 19 CEPAs were in force, covering 23 countries. Non-oil trade with those countries reached about AED 510.8 billion in the first nine months of 2026, including AED 88.5 billion in exports.
Trade with CEPA partners is growing fast. It is up 6.6% on the same period of 2024, up 25.5% on 2023 and up 52.1% on 2022. It is nearly double its 2021 level and more than twice its 2019 level.
Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Foreign Trade, said the agreements play a pivotal role in the expansion. He said they open new markets for UAE exports, ease the movement of goods, lower trade barriers and give national companies wider access to consumers and partners around the world.
For a business owner, a CEPA can mean lower duty on goods shipped to a partner country. That can make a UAE product cheaper than the same product from a country without a deal, and over time that edge adds up to real export growth.
Where UAE Goods Go
Switzerland, Hong Kong and India took the largest share of non-oil exports in the first nine months of 2026. The sharp rises to Switzerland (+75.8%) and Hong Kong (+59.1%) were driven in large part by gold and jewellery, among the UAE’s top exports.
Re-exports tell a different story. They show the UAE’s role as a distribution hub for the region. Saudi Arabia was the leading destination, followed by Iraq and Oman. Re-exports to Oman grew 71.5% year on year. Telephone sets, diamonds and cars led the list of re-exported goods.
What the UAE Imports
Imports reached AED 1.661 trillion, up 11.5% on last year. China was the largest source, followed by India and the United States, where imports grew 5.3%.
Gold, telephone sets and refined petroleum oils topped the list of imported goods. Across all trade, the top ten commodities were valued at AED 2.011 trillion, up 22.1% year on year.
Strong imports are not a weak sign. A growing economy buys more raw materials, machinery and consumer goods. The UAE imports gold to refine and re-export as jewellery, phones to distribute across the region, and fuel products to power its economy. Rising imports alongside rising exports point to an economy that is busy, not one that is struggling.
What the Milestone Means for Businesses and Residents
Trade figures can feel distant from daily life, but they feed through to jobs and prices in real ways. Here are the main links.
More jobs in trade and logistics
Record trade means more cargo through ports, more warehouse space in use, and more demand for shipping, customs and freight services — sectors that are among the country’s biggest employers.
More choice and competitive prices
When imports grow and come from more countries, shoppers and businesses get more choice. Trade deals that cut tariffs can also lower the cost of imported goods, which helps retailers and manufacturers alike.
New markets for UAE businesses
The CEPA network is the most direct benefit for exporters. A UAE company that wants to sell abroad can now reach 23 countries under deals that reduce tariffs and paperwork. The Ministry of Foreign Trade publishes details of each agreement.
A stronger case for investment
Investors watch trade figures closely. A country whose exports grow 21.6% in a year looks like a good place to build a factory, open a regional office or set up a distribution centre. That investment brings more jobs and more demand for housing, schooling and services.
What it does not mean
Trade growth does not guarantee lower prices at the shops, and it does not mean every business will benefit. Gold prices, shipping costs and global demand all affect the figures. The trade total is a sign of economic health, not a promise about any single household’s income or costs.
The Road to AED 4 Trillion by 2031
The UAE has set a target of AED 4 trillion in annual non-oil foreign trade by 2031. The 2026 figures keep it on course. Total non-oil trade reached about AED 3 trillion for the full year in 2024, already about three quarters of the 2031 target. If the final quarter keeps the same pace, the full-year total should land well above AED 3.5 trillion.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid said that in a year of economic and political challenges and shifting global trade flows, the UAE remains a central hub for international trade. He said the country continues to adapt to every change around it, strengthen its network of relationships and expand its export markets.
Dr Al Zeyoudi added that the results show the trade ecosystem can keep expanding, speed up the flow of goods across global markets and respond with agility to changes in international trade. He credited diversified partners and markets, new trade routes, and stronger, more resilient supply chains.
The next milestone is the full-year 2026 total, expected early in 2027. If the fourth quarter holds up, the UAE should pass AED 3 trillion in a single year for the first time.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much was UAE non-oil foreign trade in the first nine months of 2026?
It reached AED 2.945 trillion, up 10.1% on the same period in 2025. That is the highest nine-month total ever recorded.
What drove the growth?
Record non-oil exports of AED 705.8 billion, up 21.6%, were the main driver. Exports to the ten largest trading partners rose 31.6%. The UAE’s CEPA trade deals also helped: trade with the 23 CEPA partner countries reached AED 510.8 billion.
Which countries buy the most UAE exports?
Switzerland, Hong Kong and India led the way. Exports to Switzerland rose 75.8% and to Hong Kong 59.1%. Gold, jewellery and tobacco products were the top exported goods.
What is a CEPA?
A Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement is a trade deal between the UAE and another country. It cuts tariffs, eases the movement of goods and opens markets for exporters. As of 20 October 2026, 19 CEPAs were in force, covering 23 countries.
Does the trade growth affect jobs in the UAE?
Yes, in general. More trade means more work in ports, warehouses, shipping, customs and trade finance, and it supports exporters and manufacturers that sell abroad. The effect is broad rather than instant.
Where can I check the official figures?
They were announced by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and published by the Emirates News Agency (WAM) on 8 November 2026. The Ministry of Foreign Trade also publishes trade data and CEPA details.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information only. Trade figures come from the official announcement published by WAM on 8 November 2026 and may be revised later. Figures cover January to September 2026 only. This is not investment, business or legal advice. Businesses should check current tariff schedules and CEPA terms with the Ministry of Foreign Trade before making export decisions.
Sources: Emirates News Agency (WAM), 8 November 2026; Khaleej Times, 8 November 2026; Ministry of Foreign Trade.
Last Updated: 9 November 2026
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