Solar cells and LED exports from the United Arab Emirates: data, top buyers and prices
The United Arab Emirates exported $19.8 million of solar cells and led in 2024 (7.4 thousand tonnes). Value fell 88% from 2023. Over 2017-2024 it shrank by about 7% a year on average. The peak in this period was 2022, at $230.0 million.
Public statistics, latest complete year (2024). Values in US dollars. Page updated .
Exports by year, 2017-2024
Hover or tap a year for detail.
Year by year
| Year | Value | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $19.8M | 7.4K t |
| 2023 | $163.0M | 41.1K t |
| 2022 | $230.0M | 44.1K t |
| 2021 | $76.2M | 17.6K t |
| 2020 | $27.0M | 8.7K t |
| 2019 | $45.4M | 12.4K t |
| 2018 | $65.1M | 11.5K t |
| 2017 | $33.4M | 2.2K t |
Where the United Arab Emirates exports solar cells and led to
The largest buyer markets were United States (34%), Zimbabwe (19%), Pakistan (8%). Among the main buyer markets, Australia grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| United States | $6.7M | 34% |
| Zimbabwe | $3.8M | 19% |
| Pakistan | $1.5M | 7.8% |
| Nigeria | $1.1M | 5.4% |
| Saudi Arabia | $1.0M | 5.2% |
| Georgia | $916K | 4.6% |
| Niger | $904K | 4.6% |
| Australia | $899K | 4.5% |
| Kenya | $611K | 3.1% |
| Senegal | $573K | 2.9% |
Average export price per kg
The average declared value was about $2.69 per kg, 42% below the world average of $4.62, which often means bulk or lower-grade product.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Solar cells and LED imports to the United Arab Emirates
In 2024, the United Arab Emirates imported solar cells and led worth $583.7 million (239.3 thousand tonnes). Its share of world imports was 1%. One supplier dominates: China accounted for 93% of the value.
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $541.7M | 93% |
| India | $19.0M | 3.3% |
| Singapore | $3.1M | 0.5% |
| Austria | $2.9M | 0.5% |
| Malaysia | $2.6M | 0.4% |
| South Africa | $2.4M | 0.4% |
| United States | $1.9M | 0.3% |
| South Korea | $1.6M | 0.3% |
| Japan | $1.5M | 0.3% |
| Spain | $1.5M | 0.3% |
Who is behind these numbers in the United Arab Emirates?
The shipment records behind United Arab Emirates solar cells and led exports (HS 8541.40): 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 8541.40: Electrical apparatus: photosensitive, including photovoltaic cells, whether or not assembled in modules or made up into panels, light-emitting diodes (LED).
Common questions
What is the value of solar cells and led exported by the United Arab Emirates?
The United Arab Emirates exported solar cells and led worth $19.8 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 7.4 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 42nd of 179 countries worldwide, with 0% of world exports. The value was down 88% on 2023.
Which countries buy solar cells and led from the United Arab Emirates?
The United States was the largest buyer with 34% of the value ($6.7 million), followed by Zimbabwe (19%) and Pakistan (8%). The top three together account for 61%, out of 57 buyer countries in total. Georgia grew fastest among the top ten, up 868% on the year.
What is the average export price of solar cells and led per kg?
The average declared export value was about $2.69 per kg in 2024, 42% below the world average of $4.62 per kg. The figure blends every grade shipped, so it works as a reference point rather than a quote.
How have exports of solar cells and led from the United Arab Emirates changed since 2017?
Exports went from $33.4 million in 2017 to $19.8 million in 2024, a fall of 41%. The peak was 2022 at $230.0 million. Over 8 years the average was $82.5 million a year.
Does the United Arab Emirates also import solar cells and led?
Yes. The United Arab Emirates imported $583.7 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly from China, India and Singapore. That compares with exports of $19.8 million in the same year.
What is the HS code for solar cells and led?
The HS code for solar cells and led is subheading 8541.40. It sits in HS chapter 85 (electrical machinery and equipment and parts thereof; sound recorders and reproducers; television image and sound recorders and reproducers, parts and accessories of such articles). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 8541 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
World solar cells and led trade: top importers and exporters
More trade data for the United Arab Emirates
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