Prepared tuna imports in the United Arab Emirates: data, top suppliers and prices
Imports of prepared tuna by the United Arab Emirates reached $151.4 million in 2024 (34.2 thousand tonnes). Its share of world imports was 2%. Value rose 47% on 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable.
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 | $151.4M | 34.2K t |
| 2023 | $103.2M | 29.0K t |
| 2022 | $111.4M | 31.4K t |
| 2021 | $87.8M | 24.5K t |
| 2020 | $73.4M | 20.6K t |
| 2019 | $83.3M | 22.9K t |
| 2018 | $81.4M | 21.8K t |
| 2017 | $88.5M | 20.1K t |
Where the United Arab Emirates imports prepared tuna from
One supplier dominates: Thailand accounted for 86% of the value. Among the main suppliers, Thailand grew fastest (+54% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Thailand | $130.5M | 86% |
| Seychelles | $8.2M | 5.4% |
| Italy | $4.3M | 2.8% |
| Philippines | $3.2M | 2.1% |
| India | $2.8M | 1.9% |
| Indonesia | $1.3M | 0.9% |
| Spain | $560K | 0.4% |
| United Kingdom | $174K | 0.1% |
| China | $132K | 0.1% |
| Tunisia | $86K | 0.1% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $4.43 per kg, close to the world average of $5.06.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Prepared tuna exports from the United Arab Emirates
In 2024, the United Arab Emirates exported prepared tuna worth $918 thousand (186 tonnes). One buyer market dominates: Israel accounted for 86% of the value. Among the main buyer markets, Angola grew fastest (+152% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Israel | $786K | 86% |
| Angola | $62K | 6.7% |
| Seychelles | $15K | 1.6% |
| Montenegro | $14K | 1.5% |
| Kenya | $11K | 1.2% |
| Maldives | $10K | 1.1% |
| Zambia | $6K | 0.6% |
| Uganda | $6K | 0.6% |
| Mozambique | $4K | 0.4% |
| Tanzania | $3K | 0.3% |
Who is behind these numbers in the United Arab Emirates?
The shipment records behind United Arab Emirates prepared tuna imports (HS 1604.14): companies, dates, quantities and declared values.
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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 1604.14: Fish preparations: tunas, skipjack and Atlantic bonito (sarda spp.), prepared or preserved, whole or in pieces (but not minced).
Common questions
What is the value of prepared tuna imported by the United Arab Emirates?
The United Arab Emirates imported prepared tuna worth $151.4 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 34.2 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 16th of 219 countries worldwide, with 2% of world imports. The value was up 47% on 2023.
Which countries supply prepared tuna to the United Arab Emirates?
Thailand was the largest supplier with 86% of the value ($130.5 million), followed by the Seychelles (5%) and Italy (3%). The top three together account for 94%, out of 23 supplier countries in total. Tunisia grew fastest among the top ten, up 653% on the year.
What is the average import price of prepared tuna per kg?
The average declared import value was about $4.43 per kg in 2024, 12% below the world average of $5.06 per kg. Declared value divided by weight mixes every grade, so read it as a benchmark rather than a quote.
How have imports of prepared tuna to the United Arab Emirates changed since 2017?
Imports went from $88.5 million in 2017 to $151.4 million in 2024, an increase of 71%. 2024 was the highest year in the period. Over 8 years the average was $97.5 million a year.
Does the United Arab Emirates also export prepared tuna?
Yes. The United Arab Emirates exported $918 thousand worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Israel, Angola and the Seychelles. On balance the United Arab Emirates is a net importer of this product, by about $150.5 million a year.
What is the HS code for prepared tuna?
The HS code for prepared tuna is subheading 1604.14. It sits in HS chapter 16 (meat, fish, crustaceans, molluscs or other aquatic invertebrates, or insects; preparations thereof). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 1604 page.
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
For the United Arab Emirates, EximDataX reads the shipment records of the countries that trade with it and shows the companies on both sides. We can walk you through your product on a short call.
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