Sand (other types) exports from the United Arab Emirates: data and top buyer countries
Exports of sand (other types) by the United Arab Emirates reached $4.8 million in 2024 (489.6 thousand tonnes). Its share of world exports was 1%. Value fell 22% from 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable. The peak in this period was 2018, at $6.8 million.
Public statistics, latest complete year (2024). Values in US dollars. Page updated .
Exports by year, 2017-2024
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Year by year
| Year | Value | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $4.8M | 489.6K t |
| 2023 | $6.1M | 578.1K t |
| 2022 | $5.0M | 369.2K t |
| 2021 | $4.3M | 387.2K t |
| 2020 | $3.0M | 299.5K t |
| 2019 | $2.8M | 223.0K t |
| 2018 | $6.8M | 435.6K t |
| 2017 | $3.7M | 321.7K t |
Where the United Arab Emirates exports sand (other types) to
One buyer market dominates: Bahrain accounted for 75% of the value. Among the main buyer markets, Maldives grew fastest (+37% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Bahrain | $3.6M | 75% |
| Maldives | $811K | 17% |
| Qatar | $274K | 5.7% |
| Nigeria | $43K | 0.9% |
| South Korea | $16K | 0.3% |
| Philippines | $13K | 0.3% |
| France | $8K | 0.2% |
| Saudi Arabia | $7K | 0.1% |
| Belgium | $6K | 0.1% |
| Netherlands | $6K | 0.1% |
Sand (other types) imports to the United Arab Emirates
In 2024, the United Arab Emirates imported sand (other types) worth $420 thousand (2.1 thousand tonnes). Belgium alone supplied 57% of it. Among the main suppliers, Belgium grew fastest (+935% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Belgium | $238K | 57% |
| United Kingdom | $55K | 13% |
| Italy | $41K | 9.7% |
| Egypt | $34K | 8.2% |
| Netherlands | $16K | 3.7% |
| Senegal | $9K | 2.1% |
| Singapore | $8K | 1.9% |
| Greece | $7K | 1.6% |
| Germany | $6K | 1.5% |
| Japan | $2K | 0.6% |
Who is behind these numbers in the United Arab Emirates?
The shipment records behind United Arab Emirates sand (other types) exports (HS 2505.90): 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 2505.90: Sands: natural, (other than silica and quartz sands), whether or not coloured, (other than metal-bearing sands of chapter 26).
Common questions
What is the value of sand (other types) exported by the United Arab Emirates?
The United Arab Emirates exported sand (other types) worth $4.8 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 489.6 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 21st of 170 countries worldwide, with 1% of world exports. The value was down 22% on 2023.
Which countries buy sand (other types) from the United Arab Emirates?
Bahrain was the largest buyer with 75% of the value ($3.6 million), followed by the Maldives (17%) and Qatar (6%). The top three together account for 98%, out of 26 buyer countries in total. France grew fastest among the top ten, up 984% on the year.
How have exports of sand (other types) from the United Arab Emirates changed since 2017?
Exports went from $3.7 million in 2017 to $4.8 million in 2024, an increase of 27%. The peak was 2018 at $6.8 million. Over 8 years the average was $4.6 million a year.
Does the United Arab Emirates also import sand (other types)?
Yes. The United Arab Emirates imported $420 thousand worth of this product in 2024, mainly from Belgium, the United Kingdom and Italy. On balance the United Arab Emirates is a net exporter of this product, by about $4.3 million a year.
What is the HS code for sand (other types)?
The HS code for sand (other types) is subheading 2505.90. It sits in HS chapter 25 (salt; sulphur; earths, stone; plastering materials, lime and cement). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 2505 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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