Cumin seeds imports in the United Arab Emirates: data, top suppliers and prices
Imports of cumin seeds by the United Arab Emirates reached $91.3 million in 2024 (29.0 thousand tonnes). That makes it the 3rd largest importer of this product worldwide, out of 199 countries. Value rose 57% on 2023. Over 2017-2024 the trade grew strongly, by about 22% a year on average.
Public statistics, latest complete year (2024). Values in US dollars. Page updated .
Imports by year, 2017-2024
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Year by year
| Year | Value | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $91.3M | 29.0K t |
| 2023 | $57.9M | 13.2K t |
| 2022 | $26.4M | 12.0K t |
| 2021 | $21.5M | 11.8K t |
| 2020 | $28.8M | 13.7K t |
| 2019 | $21.0M | 10.2K t |
| 2018 | $20.4M | 9.3K t |
| 2017 | $23.2M | 9.6K t |
Where the United Arab Emirates imports cumin seeds from
India alone supplied 98% of it. Among the main suppliers, India grew fastest (+180% on the year before).
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $3.15 per kg, close to the world average of $3.09.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Cumin seeds exports from the United Arab Emirates
Exports of cumin seeds by the United Arab Emirates reached $4.5 million in 2024 (13.8 thousand tonnes). That makes it the 8th largest exporter of this product worldwide, out of 110 countries. Most of it went to Qatar (30%), Kuwait (14%), United States (12%). Among the main buyer markets, Israel grew fastest (+927% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Qatar | $1.4M | 30% |
| Kuwait | $658K | 15% |
| United States | $561K | 12% |
| Bahrain | $475K | 10% |
| Israel | $323K | 7.1% |
| Saudi Arabia | $284K | 6.3% |
| Central African Republic | $204K | 4.5% |
| Maldives | $162K | 3.6% |
| Italy | $150K | 3.3% |
| Pakistan | $117K | 2.6% |
Who is behind these numbers in the United Arab Emirates?
The shipment records behind United Arab Emirates cumin seeds imports (HS 0909.31): companies, dates, quantities and declared values.
Shipment records are in the platform
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Mirror data: built from the shipment records of the countries that trade with it.
Source: CEPII BACI (reconciled UN Comtrade data), HS 2017 edition, release 202601, Etalab Open Licence 2.0. Annual values in US dollars at the customs border; quantities in tonnes where reported. HS 0909.31: Spices: cumin seeds, neither crushed nor ground.
Common questions
What is the value of cumin seeds imported by the United Arab Emirates?
The United Arab Emirates imported cumin seeds worth $91.3 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 29.0 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 3rd of 199 countries worldwide, with 11% of world imports. The value was up 57% on 2023.
Which countries supply cumin seeds to the United Arab Emirates?
India was the largest supplier with 98% of the value ($89.7 million), followed by China (1%) and Turkey (1%). The top three together account for 100%, out of 14 supplier countries in total. Sri Lanka grew fastest among the top ten, up 206% on the year.
What is the average import price of cumin seeds per kg?
The average declared import value was about $3.15 per kg in 2024, close to the world average of $3.09 per kg. The figure blends every grade shipped, so it works as a reference point rather than a quote.
How have imports of cumin seeds to the United Arab Emirates changed since 2017?
Imports went from $23.2 million in 2017 to $91.3 million in 2024, an increase of 293%. 2024 was the highest year in the period. Over 8 years the average was $36.3 million a year.
Does the United Arab Emirates also export cumin seeds?
Yes. The United Arab Emirates exported $4.5 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Qatar, Kuwait and the United States. On balance the United Arab Emirates is a net importer of this product, by about $86.7 million a year.
What is the HS code for cumin seeds?
The HS code for cumin seeds is subheading 0909.31. It sits in HS chapter 09 (coffee, tea, mate and spices). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 0909 page.
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
EximDataX rebuilds the United Arab Emirates trade from the customs records of its trading partners, so the companies shipping to and from it are visible. Ask for a live look at your product.
Same product, other countries
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