Dubai’s non-oil external trade grew by 10% in Q1 2021

Dubai’s foreign trade touched AED 354.4 billion in Q1 2021 growing 10% from AED 323 billion in the corresponding period in 2020, and 5% compared to Q1 2019.

This reflects a rapid return to recovery and growth in the external trade sector and an ability to adapt to drastic changes in the international trade environment, according to officials.

Exports grew 25% to AED 50.5 billion, representing a volume of 5 million tonnes, a rise of 20%, and imports accounted for AED 204.8 billion, growing 9%.

The value of re-exports reached AED99 billion, growing 5.5%. 

Commenting on the outstanding growth, His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai Crown Prince and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai said: “This remarkable performance reflects our external trade sector’s impressive resilience and its ability to rebound and grow in the face of major international crises. Inspired by the vision and directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, we have always turned challenges into opportunities. We have been able to achieve this by virtue of our good governance, advanced infrastructure, strategic location, our status as a regional and global hub for trade, and the generous stimulus packages that the government has launched in support of trade and businesses.

“This remarkable growth will get us closer to the ambitious target of Dubai’s five-year strategy to raise the value of external trade to AED2 trillion and consolidate its position as a bridge connecting regional and international markets by constantly enhancing its infrastructure and logistics services. Furthermore, by hosting EXPO2020, ‘the world’s greatest show’, Dubai will make a significant contribution to the recovery of the global economy and help it move towards prosperity again.” 

Direct trade in Q1 2021 totaled AED217 billion growing 15% compared to Q1 2020, while trade through free zones reached AED135 billion, growing 2%. Customs warehouse trade weighed in at AED2.3 billion, growing 23%. 

Airborne trade accounted for AED179 billion, growing 15%. Sea trade reached AED120 billion, growing 3%, while land trade touched AED55.3 billion, growing 7%. 

China maintained its position as Dubai’s largest trading partner in Q1, 2021 with AED44 billion worth of trade, representing a growth of 30%.

India came in second with AED35 billion, growing 17%, followed by the USA in third place with AED15.4 billion. Saudi Arabia continued to be Dubai’s largest Gulf and Arab trade partner and its fourth largest global trade partner with AED14.7 billion worth of trade, growing 20%, followed by Turkey in fifth place with AED12 billion, representing a staggering growth of 72%.

Gold topped the list of commodities in Dubai's Q1 external trade at AED63 billion, growing 27%, followed by telecoms at AED50 billion, growing 32%.

Diamonds registered a record growth of 61% and came third in the list with AED29 billion, followed by jewelry with AED17 billion, and vehicle trade, which grew 9% to reach AED14billion.