Processed cheese imports in the United Arab Emirates: data, top suppliers and prices
The United Arab Emirates imported $160.8 million of processed cheese in 2024 (27.0 thousand tonnes). It ranks 4th of 217 countries for imports of this product. Value fell 12% 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 | $160.8M | 27.0K t |
| 2023 | $182.6M | 31.1K t |
| 2022 | $150.9M | 27.2K t |
| 2021 | $118.4M | 22.6K t |
| 2020 | $107.9M | 21.4K t |
| 2019 | $113.5M | 22.6K t |
| 2018 | $119.3M | 23.0K t |
| 2017 | $54.5M | 10.9K t |
Where the United Arab Emirates imports processed cheese from
Most of the value came from Bahrain (44%), Saudi Arabia (34%), Poland (5%).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Bahrain | $70.4M | 44% |
| Saudi Arabia | $54.4M | 34% |
| Poland | $7.4M | 4.6% |
| France | $4.3M | 2.7% |
| Austria | $3.4M | 2.1% |
| Australia | $3.0M | 1.9% |
| Morocco | $2.4M | 1.5% |
| India | $2.3M | 1.4% |
| Egypt | $2.3M | 1.4% |
| Germany | $2.1M | 1.3% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $5.97 per kg, close to the world average of $5.16.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Processed cheese exports from the United Arab Emirates
Exports of processed cheese by the United Arab Emirates reached $10.8 million in 2024 (2.8 thousand tonnes). Saudi Arabia alone took 73% of it. Among the main buyer markets, Bahrain grew fastest (+213% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Saudi Arabia | $7.9M | 73% |
| Kuwait | $1.2M | 11% |
| Bahrain | $1.1M | 9.9% |
| Israel | $245K | 2.3% |
| Qatar | $101K | 0.9% |
| Seychelles | $68K | 0.6% |
| Egypt | $64K | 0.6% |
| United States | $40K | 0.4% |
| Maldives | $40K | 0.4% |
| Sri Lanka | $18K | 0.2% |
Who is behind these numbers in the United Arab Emirates?
The shipment records behind United Arab Emirates processed cheese imports (HS 0406.30): companies, dates, quantities and declared values.
Shipment records are in the platform
Tell us what you trade and we will show you the latest records on a live call.
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 0406.30: Dairy produce: cheese, processed (not grated or powdered).
Common questions
What is the value of processed cheese imported by the United Arab Emirates?
The United Arab Emirates imported processed cheese worth $160.8 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 27.0 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 4th of 217 countries worldwide, with 4% of world imports. The value was down 12% on 2023.
Which countries supply processed cheese to the United Arab Emirates?
Bahrain was the largest supplier with 44% of the value ($70.4 million), followed by Saudi Arabia (34%) and Poland (5%). The top three together account for 82%, out of 32 supplier countries in total. Morocco grew fastest among the top ten, up 58% on the year.
What is the average import price of processed cheese per kg?
The average declared import value was about $5.97 per kg in 2024, 16% above the world average of $5.16 per kg. The figure blends every grade shipped, so it works as a reference point rather than a quote.
How have imports of processed cheese to the United Arab Emirates changed since 2017?
Imports went from $54.5 million in 2017 to $160.8 million in 2024, an increase of 195%. The peak was 2023 at $182.6 million. Over 8 years the average was $126.0 million a year.
Does the United Arab Emirates also export processed cheese?
Yes. The United Arab Emirates exported $10.8 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Bahrain. On balance the United Arab Emirates is a net importer of this product, by about $150.0 million a year.
What is the HS code for processed cheese?
The HS code for processed cheese is subheading 0406.30. 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?
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.
Same product, other countries
More trade data for the United Arab Emirates
See what your buyers are buying.Then decide.
Everything we show you comes from official customs filings — records, not claims. 30 minutes. Your shipment. Your HS code. Real platform. If you don’t see something new about your market by the end of the call, we walk away. No follow-ups.