Abu Dhabi's Non-Oil Foreign Trade Reaches AED 28 Billion in June, Up 17.9% Year-on-Year in H1

Abu Dhabi's non-oil foreign trade recorded a significant milestone in June, reaching AED 28 billion. This figure contributes to a robust performance in the first half of the year, with total non-oil foreign trade climbing to AED 230.6 billion, marking a substantial 17.9% increase compared to the AED 195.4 billion reported in the same period last year.

Trade Breakdown and Key Sectors

Exports, including re-exports, stood at AED 15.3 billion in June, while imports reached AED 12.6 billion, resulting in a trade surplus of AED 2.7 billion for Abu Dhabi. Pearls, precious stones, and precious metals were the top non-oil export category, valued at AED 3.1 billion.

Regarding imports, Hong Kong emerged as the primary source market, with imports worth AED 1.6 billion. It was followed by Saudi Arabia at AED 1.2 billion, Qatar at AED 797.6 million, India at AED 646.1 million, and Singapore at AED 590 million.

The Role of Non-Oil Exports and Re-exports

Non-oil exports are crucial indicators of an economy's competitiveness, demonstrating the local economy's capacity to produce goods and services that can compete internationally. Their growth is directly linked to increased productivity, value creation, manufacturing, and investment within the emirate.

Re-exports, which reflect Abu Dhabi's role as an intermediary and trading platform, also saw significant growth. The emirate's strategic geographical location, coupled with an advanced network of ports, airports, industrial zones, and logistics facilities, positions it as a key transit and distribution hub connecting markets across the Gulf, the Middle East, Asia, and Africa. The value of re-exports reached approximately AED 70 billion in 2025, compared with AED 58 billion in 2024, indicating 20% growth.

Underlying Infrastructure and Economic Impact

This growth in foreign trade is underpinned by an integrated ecosystem encompassing efficient infrastructure, including ports, airports, roads, industrial zones, and digital services. Abu Dhabi Customs emphasised that this trade expansion reflects the effective alignment of policies, infrastructure, and market access, aimed at streamlining goods movement and reducing supply chain bottlenecks. Every increase in trade volumes generates additional demand for transportation, warehousing, insurance, financing, and cargo handling, creating a multiplier effect across various economic sectors.