Jumpstart Your Product Export Sales to the Middle East
The United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.) with its large population, large influx of tourists and business-people coupled with its vibrant re-export activities makes it a vital market for food products. Economic friendly regulations, low duties, and extensive free trade zones throughout the country have enabled the U.A.E. to become one of the world’s leading re-export hubs. The U.A.E. is the major regional trade hub for the Middle East and North Africa due to a favorable geographic location and modern infrastructure.
The UAE and Saudi Arabia remains the 15th and 20th largest markets respectively from the U.S. for consumer foods and are frequently in the top 20 of most major processed food export categories. Their import share is well over 82% of the region's total, although food products may be transiting through the Emirates into other GCC and/or Middle Eastern markets.
The market is highly
competitive but there is great potential for U.S. export growth in this segment, including in dairy products, prepared food, fresh fruit, poultry, tree nuts, and beef products.
The advantages for U.S. exporters of consumer ready food products to the region are numerous. They include a high quality image of U.S. products, high regional per capita incomes, and a broad familiarity with U.S. culture. There are also consistently
low tariffs and relatively transparent import procedures.
U.S. Food & Agricultural Product Imports to United Arab Emirates (UAE), By the Numbers
- U.S. Consumer-Oriented Foods - US$884.6 million (2021)
- U.S. Processed Foods - US$286.2 million (2021)
Buyers from other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries (e.g. Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain) will be invited to meetings as well.
