Recent figures released by Dubai Customs in conjunction with the Gulfood 2020 Exhibition showed a 3% growth in Dubai foodstuff external trade in 2019 to Dh86.2b compared to Dh84b in 2018. Exports grew 15.3% to Dh16.94b from Dh14.69b in 2018, re-exports went up 2% to Dh17.27b from Dh16.93 in 2018, and imports made Dh52b.
According to statistics, India topped Dubai trade partners in foodstuff trade with 6.41% at Dh5.53, followed by the USA with 6.3% at Dh5.45b, Iraq with 5.3% at Dh4.57, Brazil with 4.72% at Dh4b, Oman with 3.77% at Dh3.25b, and China with 3.13% at Dh2.7b.
Nuts took the lion’s share of foodstuff trade with Dh4.2b, followed by frozen meats with Dh3.69b, dairy products with Dh3.21b, chocolate products withDh3b, tea with Dh2b, and sugar with Dh2b, and rice with Dh1.96b.
“Promoting external trade in support of national economy is a priority for us at Dubai Customs following the vision of the leadership to reach the target of 2 trillion dirhams in trade by 2025,” said Nassim Al Mehairi, Manager of Statistics Section at Dubai Customs.
“We facilitate the business by introducing the latest and best services in clearing cargo to help a better trade flow of food products from and into the country. Dubai has become an essential trade corridor for foodstuffs in the region, owing to its advanced infrastructure and efficient customs services.”