The UAE’s non-oil trade increased by 13.1% year over year to 1.94 trillion dirhams ($527 billion) during the first six months of 2026, according to newly released figures. This marks the first time the country’s non-oil trade has approached the 2 trillion-dirham mark in a six-month period.
According to WAM, the trade value was 39.6% higher than in the first half of 2024, 54.5% higher than during the same period in 2023 and 78.8% higher than in 2022, highlighting the continued growth of the UAE’s non-oil economy.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) expects the UAE economy to grow by 5% in 2026, while non-oil sectors are projected to expand by 4.6%, supported by tourism, construction, financial services and infrastructure investment.
UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum described the latest trade figures as “historic.”
According to a WAM statement, the value of non-oil foreign trade in the first half of 2026 was more than double the level recorded during the same period in 2019 and 2021, highlighting the rapid growth of the country’s economy.
The statement said non-oil exports were the main driver of trade growth during the first half of the year. They reached 452.8 billion dirhams, up 23.9% from the same period in 2025 and 77.3% from the first half of 2024.
The latest data showed that non-oil exports accounted for 23.4% of the UAE’s total non-oil foreign trade during the first half of 2026, compared with 21.3% a year earlier, 18.4% in 2024 and 16.9% in 2023. This reflects the country’s continued shift toward a more production-based, export-focused and value-added economy.
The figures also support the UAE’s strategy of reducing its dependence on oil by expanding exports and strengthening economic ties with global markets.
The country’s growing trade network has been supported by comprehensive economic partnership agreements, including one signed with Japan in March. These agreements have expanded market access for Emirati businesses and strengthened the UAE’s position as a regional trade hub.
China remained the UAE’s largest trading partner, with non-oil trade totaling 180.7 billion dirhams. Switzerland followed with 138.4 billion dirhams, while India ranked third with 107.5 billion dirhams.
Trade with Egypt, Oman and Hong Kong also recorded strong growth during the same period.
