UAE Achieves Historic $1 Trillion Non-Oil Trade Milestone Years Ahead of Schedule
The United Arab Emirates has recorded a landmark achievement in economic diversification, with its non-oil foreign trade crossing the $1 trillion mark for the first time in history. This remarkable accomplishment comes five years earlier than the targets originally set for 2031, demonstrating the nation's accelerated economic progress.
Record-Breaking Trade Figures and Growth Trajectory
In 2025, the UAE's non-oil foreign trade reached approximately AED3.8 trillion, equivalent to $1.03 trillion. This represents extraordinary growth across multiple timeframes:
- 27% increase compared to 2024
- 44.3% growth compared to 2023
- 65% expansion compared to 2022
- 97.4% surge compared to 2021
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, emphasized that these figures represent 95% of the targets announced three years ago for achievement by 2031, now realized significantly ahead of schedule.
Exports Emerge as Primary Growth Driver
Non-oil exports demonstrated particularly strong performance, reaching AED813.8 billion by the end of 2025. This sector showed remarkable growth:
- 45.5% increase compared to 2024
- 85% growth compared to 2023
- Export values now triple the level recorded in 2019
For the first time, exports accounted for 21.6% of the UAE's total non-oil trade, up from just 14.1% in 2019. This performance exceeded the targets of the We the UAE 2031 vision by more than AED13.8 billion.
Spectacular Fourth Quarter Performance
The final quarter of 2025 marked a significant milestone, with non-oil foreign trade exceeding AED1 trillion within a single three-month period for the first time, reaching AED1.1 trillion. This represented:
- 33.1% growth compared to the same period in 2024
- 16% increase compared to the third quarter of 2025
Quarterly non-oil exports amounted to AED234.4 billion, equivalent to the UAE's total non-oil exports for the entire year of 2019.
Trade Composition and International Partnerships
The UAE's export portfolio remained diverse, with key non-oil exports including:
- Gold and jewellery
- Aluminium
- Cigarettes
- Refined petroleum oils
- Ethylene polymers
- Copper wires
- Precious metal compounds
- Polypropylene polymers
- Perfumes
These categories recorded 64.5% growth compared to 2024, with particularly strong increases in precious metal compounds, plastic products, gold and jewellery, perfumes, aluminium and copper wires.
Exports to countries with Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements reached AED175.5 billion, representing 21.6% of the UAE's total exports and showing 18.2% growth.
Imports and Re-Exports Continue Upward Trend
Re-exports reached AED830.2 billion (approximately $226 billion) by the end of 2025, recording 15.7% growth compared to 2024. Imports of non-oil goods exceeded AED2.1 trillion (approximately $577.6 billion), growing by 25.7% year-on-year.
Leading imported goods included gold, mobile phones, cars, petroleum oils, jewellery and related products, diamonds, and computers.
Leadership Response and Future Outlook
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum highlighted that the UAE has completed the development of its investment environment, doubled its international partnerships, and strengthened cooperation with the private sector. This achievement firmly consolidates global confidence in the country's economy.
The leadership has congratulated national teams on this historic accomplishment while urging intensified efforts and deeper private sector partnerships to support the next phase of economic growth and diversification.
