The United Arab Emirates' non-oil foreign trade reached AED 2.945 trillion in the first nine months of 2026, up 10.1% on the same period last year and approaching the AED 3 trillion mark for the first time, the Emirates News Agency (WAM) reported on 8 November.

The growth was driven by record non-oil exports of AED 706 billion, up 21.6% year on year, alongside imports of AED 1.661 trillion, up 11.5%, and re-exports of AED 578 billion. The figures are worth about $801.9 billion in total non-oil trade.

Non-oil exports accounted for 24.0% of total non-oil foreign trade, up from 21.7% a year earlier, after monthly exports passed AED 100 billion for the first time in September 2026.

Record exports lead the growth

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, said he had reviewed the foreign trade report for the first nine months of 2026.

“For the first time, our non-oil foreign trade is nearing AED 3 trillion in just nine months, up 10% on last year, while our exports to our top ten trading partners grew by 31%,” he said.

Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Foreign Trade, said the historic AED 2.945 trillion figure reflected sustained momentum and the growing presence of UAE products in global markets. Non-oil exports reached a record AED 705.8 billion, he said, with Switzerland, Hong Kong and India among the leading destinations.

Strong third quarter

The momentum continued into the third quarter of 2026, when non-oil foreign trade reached AED 1.025 trillion, up 7.1% on the third quarter of 2025 and 11.1% on the previous quarter.

Non-oil exports in the third quarter alone came in at AED 256.1 billion, up 19% year on year. Quarterly non-oil exports have now exceeded AED 200 billion for five consecutive quarters.

Trade with the 23 countries covered by the 19 Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements (CEPAs) in force as of 20 October 2026 reached about AED 510.8 billion in the first nine months. Al Zeyoudi said the agreements had played a pivotal role in boosting exports by opening new markets, easing the movement of goods and reducing trade barriers.

A longer climb

To put the trajectory in context, the same nine-month non-oil trade figure stood at AED 1.9 trillion in 2023 and AED 1.3 trillion in 2019. The 2026 total is 37.2% higher than the first three quarters of 2024 and 55.2% higher than the same period in 2023.

The full-year 2026 figures, due after the fourth quarter closes, will show whether the UAE crosses the AED 3 trillion mark for a full year and whether export growth holds above the rate of import growth.