Grated cheese imports in the United Arab Emirates: data, top suppliers and prices
The United Arab Emirates imported $59.5 million of grated cheese in 2024 (10.4 thousand tonnes). Its share of world imports was 2%. Value fell 13% from 2023. Over 2017-2024 the trade grew strongly, by about 17% a year on average.
Public statistics, latest complete year (2024). Values in US dollars. Page updated .
Imports by year, 2017-2024
Hover or tap a year for detail.
Year by year
| Year | Value | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $59.5M | 10.4K t |
| 2023 | $68.2M | 11.9K t |
| 2022 | $64.4M | 13.0K t |
| 2021 | $57.8M | 12.4K t |
| 2020 | $48.5M | 9.9K t |
| 2019 | $60.2M | 12.6K t |
| 2018 | $47.2M | 8.7K t |
| 2017 | $20.0M | 4.8K t |
Where the United Arab Emirates imports grated cheese from
One supplier dominates: Saudi Arabia accounted for 55% of the value. Among the main suppliers, United Kingdom grew fastest (+132% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Saudi Arabia | $32.8M | 55% |
| New Zealand | $10.3M | 17% |
| United States | $7.8M | 13% |
| United Kingdom | $2.9M | 4.8% |
| France | $1.9M | 3.2% |
| Turkey | $1.3M | 2.2% |
| Italy | $638K | 1.1% |
| Denmark | $375K | 0.6% |
| Netherlands | $342K | 0.6% |
| Germany | $303K | 0.5% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $5.73 per kg, close to the world average of $6.39.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Grated cheese exports from the United Arab Emirates
In 2024, the United Arab Emirates exported grated cheese worth $3.3 million (574 tonnes). The largest buyer markets were Kuwait (46%), Saudi Arabia (33%), Bahrain (15%). Among the main buyer markets, Bahrain grew fastest (+196% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Kuwait | $1.5M | 46% |
| Saudi Arabia | $1.1M | 33% |
| Bahrain | $490K | 15% |
| Sri Lanka | $147K | 4.5% |
| Maldives | $35K | 1.1% |
| Seychelles | $31K | 0.9% |
| Qatar | $12K | 0.4% |
| Uganda | $0K | 0% |
| South Korea | $0K | 0% |
Who is behind these numbers in the United Arab Emirates?
The shipment records behind United Arab Emirates grated cheese imports (HS 0406.20): 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 0406.20: Dairy produce: cheese of all kinds, grated or powdered.
Common questions
What is the value of grated cheese imported by the United Arab Emirates?
The United Arab Emirates imported grated cheese worth $59.5 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 10.4 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 15th of 216 countries worldwide, with 2% of world imports. The value was down 13% on 2023.
Which countries supply grated cheese to the United Arab Emirates?
Saudi Arabia was the largest supplier with 55% of the value ($32.8 million), followed by New Zealand (17%) and the United States (13%). The top three together account for 86%, out of 25 supplier countries in total. The United Kingdom grew fastest among the top ten, up 132% on the year.
What is the average import price of grated cheese per kg?
The average declared import value was about $5.73 per kg in 2024, 10% below the world average of $6.39 per kg. Declared value divided by weight mixes every grade, so read it as a benchmark rather than a quote.
How have imports of grated cheese to the United Arab Emirates changed since 2017?
Imports went from $20.0 million in 2017 to $59.5 million in 2024, an increase of 198%. The peak was 2023 at $68.2 million. Over 8 years the average was $53.2 million a year.
Does the United Arab Emirates also export grated cheese?
Yes. The United Arab Emirates exported $3.3 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain. On balance the United Arab Emirates is a net importer of this product, by about $56.2 million a year.
What is the HS code for grated cheese?
The HS code for grated cheese is subheading 0406.20. It sits in HS chapter 04 (dairy produce; birds' eggs; natural honey; edible products of animal origin, not elsewhere specified or included). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 0406 page.
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
The totals here are public statistics; EximDataX adds the company names by reading partner countries' customs records for the United Arab Emirates. Tell us your product to see it live.
Same product, other countries
More trade data for the United Arab Emirates
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