The UAE’s non-oil foreign trade came close to the AED2 trillion mark in the first half of 2026, reaching AED1.937 trillion, a 13.1 per cent increase on the same period last year and 39.6 per cent above H1 2024 levels.
“Today, we reviewed the UAE’s non-oil foreign trade results for the first half of 2026 – and they are exceptional by every measure. Our non-oil foreign trade has approached the AED2 trillion mark in just six months, reaching a final figure of AED1.937 trillion, representing an annual growth of 13.1%. Our national non-oil exports also reached a new historic record of AED452.8 billion,” Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai said in a statement.
“These figures are more than trade statistics, they are a testament to the strength of our economy, the effectiveness of our development choices and the world’s confidence in the UAE,” Sheikh Mohammed added.
Non-oil exports were the standout performer. They grew 23.9 per cent year on year to AED452.8 billion, which the government described as a historic record.
Their share of total non-oil foreign trade rose to 23.4 per cent, up from 21.3 per cent in H1 2025, 18.4 per cent in 2024, and 16.9 per cent in 2023, a trend that points to an economy producing and exporting more of its own goods rather than simply handling transit volumes.
China remained the UAE’s largest trading partner by non-oil trade value, at AED180.7 billion, followed by Switzerland at AED138.4 billion and India at AED107.5 billion.
Egypt, Oman and Hong Kong posted strong growth rates among the top partners. Trade with the ten largest partners grew 12.6 per cent, while trade with the rest of the world grew at a slightly faster 13.6 per cent.
The UAE’s Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements (CEPA) continued to show results. Non-oil trade with countries where a CEPA is fully in force reached AED304.3 billion in H1 2026, with non-oil exports to those markets at AED66.1 billion, representing 21.7 per cent of total trade with CEPA partners, up from 19.1 per cent in 2022.
Gold was the leading commodity, with trade reaching AED706.2 billion in the period, a year-on-year rise of 48.8 per cent. Telecoms came second at AED189.7 billion, followed by gold jewelry, automobiles and diamonds. The top ten commodities accounted for roughly 67 per cent of total non-oil merchandise trade.
The H1 2026 figures put UAE non-oil trade more than double the levels recorded in the same period in both 2019 and 2021, and 78.8% ahead of H1 2022.
