The United Arab Emirates has recorded a landmark year for non-oil trade, crossing the $1 trillion mark for the first time and reaching economic targets set for the next decade well before schedule. Reviewing the latest foreign trade figures, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, said the achievement reflects a fully developed investment ecosystem, stronger cooperation with the private sector and growing global confidence in the UAE’s economy.
Non-oil trade hits historic high
For the first time in its history, the UAE’s non-oil foreign trade exceeded $1 trillion, reaching approximately AED3.8 trillion, or $1.03 trillion, in 2025. This represented growth of about 27 per cent compared to 2024 and 44.3 per cent compared to 2023. Over a longer timeframe, non-oil trade expanded by 65 per cent compared to 2022 and by 97.4 per cent compared to 2021, nearly doubling the value recorded four years earlier and exceeding twice the level seen in 2019.
Sheikh Mohammed said these figures were targets announced three years ago to be achieved by 2031, with 95 per cent now realised five years earlier than planned.
Exports drive growth momentum
Non-oil exports emerged as the strongest-performing component of trade. By the end of 2025, exports reached AED813.8 billion, recording growth of more than 45.5 per cent compared to 2024 and an increase of 85 per cent compared to 2023. Export values have now surpassed three times the level recorded in 2019 and more than doubled the figures seen in 2021 and 2022.
As a result, exports accounted for 21.6 per cent of the UAE’s total non-oil trade for the first time, up from 18.8 per cent at the end of 2024, 16.5 per cent in 2022 and just 14.1 per cent in 2019. Exports also exceeded the targets of the We the UAE 2031 vision by more than AED13.8 billion, reinforcing their role as the fastest-growing segment of non-oil merchandise trade.
Record-breaking final quarter
The final quarter of 2025 marked a major turning point. Between early October and the end of December, non-oil foreign trade exceeded AED1 trillion within a single three-month period for the first time, reaching AED1.1 trillion. This reflected growth of 33.1 per cent compared to the same period in 2024 and 16 per cent compared to the third quarter of 2025.
Non-oil exports during the quarter amounted to AED234.4 billion, equivalent to the UAE’s total non-oil exports for the whole of 2019. Quarterly exports rose by 53.2 per cent year-on-year and by 12 per cent compared to the previous quarter.
Trade composition and key partners
The UAE’s export portfolio remained broad-based. Key non-oil exports included gold and jewellery, aluminium, cigarettes, refined petroleum oils, ethylene polymers, copper wires, precious metal compounds, polypropylene polymers and perfumes. Together, these categories recorded growth of 64.5 per cent compared to 2024, with the highest increases seen in precious metal compounds, plastic products, gold and jewellery, perfumes, aluminium and copper wires.
Exports to countries with Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements in force by the end of 2025, covering 14 countries, reached AED175.5 billion. This marked growth of 18.2 per cent and accounted for 21.6 per cent of the UAE’s total exports to the world during the year.
Imports and re-exports continue to rise
Re-exports reached AED830.2 billion, or about $226 billion, by the end of 2025, recording growth of 15.7 per cent compared to 2024, alongside increases of 21.3 per cent compared to 2023 and 29 per cent compared to 2022.
Imports of non-oil goods exceeded AED2.1 trillion, or $577.6 billion, in 2025, growing by 25.7 per cent year-on-year. Imports rose by 27.2 per cent with the UAE’s top ten trading partners and by 23.3 per cent with the rest of the world. Leading imported goods included gold, mobile phones, cars, petroleum oils, jewellery and related products, diamonds and computers. The top ten imported goods recorded growth of 32.4 per cent, while other goods grew by 16 per cent.
Leadership response
Commenting on the results, Sheikh Mohammed said the UAE has completed the development of its investment environment, doubled its international partnerships and strengthened cooperation with the private sector, firmly consolidating global confidence in the country. He congratulated national teams on the achievement and urged them to intensify efforts and further deepen private sector partnerships to support the next phase of economic growth.