Abu Dhabi non-oil foreign trade jumps 36% in 2025 to AED 415.4bn
Abu Dhabi non-oil foreign trade rose 36% in 2025 to AED 415.4bn, driven by a 63% jump in exports to AED 175.4bn as officials cite integrated customs and logistics.
Abu Dhabi non-oil foreign trade surged sharply in 2025, reaching AED 415.4 billion compared with about AED 306 billion in 2024. The increase of 36% reflects a broad-based expansion across exports, imports and re-exports and signals accelerated momentum in the emirate’s trade-driven growth strategy. Authorities attribute the rise to strengthened market access, upgraded logistics and closer public-private coordination that improved trade flows.
Record annual trade value reported by Abu Dhabi Customs
Abu Dhabi Customs data show the total value of non-oil foreign trade climbed to AED 415.4 billion in 2025, up from roughly AED 306 billion the previous year. This outcome positions Abu Dhabi among the fastest-growing trade hubs in the Gulf on a year-on-year basis. The performance underscores the impact of concentrated efforts to diversify the economy beyond hydrocarbons and to scale up commercial activity.
Exports lead the expansion with a 63% increase
Non-oil exports were the strongest contributor to the surge, rising 63% to AED 175.4 billion in 2025 from AED 107.8 billion in 2024. Export growth reflects both higher outbound shipments and expanded access to new markets, particularly for manufactured goods and high-value products. Officials noted that export growth was enabled by targeted trade facilitation measures and expanded bilateral and multilateral trade partnerships.
Imports and re-exports register steady gains
Imports grew 22% year-on-year to AED 170.4 billion, up from AED 140.2 billion in 2024, supporting domestic demand and re-export activity. Re-exports rose 20% to AED 70 billion in 2025, compared with AED 58 billion the year before, highlighting Abu Dhabi’s role as a regional redistribution hub. Together, these gains illustrate a balanced trade expansion across inbound and outbound flows rather than a concentration in a single segment.
Trade flows split across air, land and sea
The modal distribution of Abu Dhabi’s trade in 2025 shows a diversified logistics footprint, with air accounting for 33.5% of the total, land 35% and sea 31.5%. The near-even split between modes indicates resilient multimodal capacity and the ability to adapt to shifting supply-chain demands. Authorities say investments in airports, land corridors and port infrastructure have helped absorb higher volumes and shorten transit times.
Officials point to integrated economic and customs systems
Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi, head of the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development, said the 2025 indicators demonstrate the effectiveness of an integrated system designed to boost efficiency, growth and continuity. He highlighted consistent policy work, enhanced infrastructure and improved market access as key enablers that allowed trade flows to expand rapidly and reliably. The department emphasized that maintaining these gains requires sustained focus on partnerships, logistics capabilities and export promotion.
Customs modernization and partnerships underpinned results
Rashid Lahij Al Mansouri, Director General of Abu Dhabi Customs, attributed the results to the emirate’s customs modernization programme and close cooperation with the private sector. Abu Dhabi Customs has continued to adopt digital solutions, smart systems and risk-based controls to speed clearance and strengthen trade security. Officials said these steps reduced friction at borders and enabled more predictable supply chains for traders.
Public-private collaboration and investment in technology and logistics were also cited as central to the performance. Authorities pointed to enhanced connectivity with global markets, streamlined procedures for traders and capacity expansions at key gateways as factors that amplified the impact of policy reforms. The combined approach, they said, supports the emirate’s strategic objective to be a reliable global trade and logistics hub.
Outlook for 2026 remains cautiously optimistic as Abu Dhabi seeks to cement gains from 2025 and translate them into sustained economic diversification. Policymakers plan to continue investing in logistics, expand trade partnerships and refine digital customs services to keep pace with evolving global trade dynamics. The 2025 results provide a measurable foundation for scaling export-oriented industries and strengthening Abu Dhabi’s role in regional and international trade.
