Water pipe tobacco exports from the United Arab Emirates: data, top buyers and prices
In 2024, the United Arab Emirates exported water pipe tobacco worth $64.4 million (7.8 thousand tonnes). That makes it the 3rd largest exporter of this product worldwide, out of 74 countries. Value fell 69% from 2023. Over 2017-2024 the trade grew strongly, by about 11% a year on average. The peak in this period was 2023, at $206.0 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 | $64.4M | 7.8K t |
| 2023 | $206.0M | 24.1K t |
| 2022 | $122.4M | 20.3K t |
| 2021 | $148.8M | 21.6K t |
| 2020 | $93.4M | 13.7K t |
| 2019 | $96.4M | 16.1K t |
| 2018 | $70.0M | 13.1K t |
| 2017 | $31.7M | 6.1K t |
Where the United Arab Emirates exports water pipe tobacco to
Most of it went to India (35%), Saudi Arabia (23%), United States (21%). Among the main buyer markets, India grew fastest (+671% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| India | $22.4M | 35% |
| Saudi Arabia | $14.7M | 23% |
| United States | $13.3M | 21% |
| Bahrain | $5.0M | 7.8% |
| Lebanon | $4.0M | 6.2% |
| Kuwait | $923K | 1.4% |
| Morocco | $814K | 1.3% |
| Germany | $651K | 1% |
| Japan | $486K | 0.8% |
| Egypt | $431K | 0.7% |
Average export price per kg
The average declared value was about $8.28 per kg, close to the world average of $8.48.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Water pipe tobacco imports to the United Arab Emirates
Imports of water pipe tobacco by the United Arab Emirates reached $32.2 million in 2024 (2.9 thousand tonnes). That makes it the 2nd largest importer of this product worldwide, out of 155 countries. India alone supplied 67% of it. Among the main suppliers, India grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
Who is behind these numbers in the United Arab Emirates?
The shipment records behind United Arab Emirates water pipe tobacco exports (HS 2403.11): 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 2403.11: Tobacco: smoking, water pipe tobacco as specified in Subheading Note 1 to this Chapter, whether or not containing tobacco substitutes in any proportion.
Common questions
What is the value of water pipe tobacco exported by the United Arab Emirates?
The United Arab Emirates exported water pipe tobacco worth $64.4 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 7.8 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 3rd of 74 countries worldwide, with 16% of world exports. The value was down 69% on 2023.
Which countries buy water pipe tobacco from the United Arab Emirates?
India was the largest buyer with 35% of the value ($22.4 million), followed by Saudi Arabia (23%) and the United States (21%). The top three together account for 78%, out of 38 buyer countries in total. India grew fastest among the top ten, up 671% on the year.
What is the average export price of water pipe tobacco per kg?
The average declared export value was about $8.28 per kg in 2024, close to the world average of $8.48 per kg. Declared value divided by weight mixes every grade, so read it as a benchmark rather than a quote.
How have exports of water pipe tobacco from the United Arab Emirates changed since 2017?
Exports went from $31.7 million in 2017 to $64.4 million in 2024, an increase of 103%. The peak was 2023 at $206.0 million. Over 8 years the average was $104.1 million a year.
Does the United Arab Emirates also import water pipe tobacco?
Yes. The United Arab Emirates imported $32.2 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly from India, Egypt and Turkey. On balance the United Arab Emirates is a net exporter of this product, by about $32.1 million a year.
What is the HS code for water pipe tobacco?
The HS code for water pipe tobacco is subheading 2403.11. It sits in HS chapter 24 (tobacco and manufactured tobacco substitutes; products, whether or not containing nicotine, intended for inhalation without combustion; other nicotine containing products intended for the intake of nicotine into the human body). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 2403 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
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