This daily briefing covers the latest UAE export news, regional logistics developments, food packaging compliance, and Al Aweer market updates for Monday, 24 August 2026. The operating priorities for exporters and UAE buyers remain clear: securing dependable origins, maintaining quality control, protecting cold-chain integrity, and managing logistics risk through diversified distribution routes.
1. Latest UAE Export News
Record H1 2026 non-oil trade
The UAE recorded strong trade growth during the first half of 2026.
- Non-oil foreign trade reached AED 1.937 trillion, increasing 13.1% year on year.
- Non-oil exports reached a record AED 452.8 billion, increasing 23.9% year on year.
- The UAE now has 38 Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements (CEPAs) supporting market access, lower trade barriers, and wider international distribution.
Non-oil exports are becoming a stronger contributor to UAE trade performance. The figures reinforce the UAE’s position as a global re-export, logistics, and distribution hub for food products, fresh produce, spices, rice, and other essential commodities. ZAWYA reports the H1 2026 figures.
UAE-Iran trade suspension affects produce sourcing
On 19 August, the UAE announced the suspension of trade, commercial exchanges, and financial transactions with Iran until further notice. The measure is indefinite and forms part of the wider regional US–Iran standoff and Strait of Hormuz disruption. Gulf News coverage provides the current business context.
For produce importers and exporters, this suspension requires immediate origin and route reviews. Businesses previously relying on Iranian supply or payment channels must validate alternative sourcing options. Relevant alternatives include:
- India for onions, bananas, ginger, okra, green chilli, and other vegetables.
- Egypt for onions, citrus, potatoes, and selected fresh produce.
- Jordan for vegetables and regional agricultural supply.
- Oman for shorter-haul produce movements and regional logistics.
- Syria, subject to current compliance, documentation, and route approvals.
- Local UAE production for selected vegetables, greenhouse crops, dates, and other domestic supply.
Alternative origins do not remove the need for inspection. Buyers must confirm crop quality, pesticide compliance, phytosanitary documentation, pack specifications, transit time, and temperature requirements before approving replacement suppliers.
Building supply chain resilience
The UAE is expanding multimodal logistics capacity to keep essential goods moving despite regional disruption.
DP World has reported moving 500,000 TEUs across its GCC overland network since March 2026. The network uses road and rail connections to provide alternatives to disrupted sea lanes and is handling approximately 3,000 truck movements per day. DP World’s announcement outlines the role of the network in supporting regional trade continuity.
AD Ports Group has also expanded its operating capacity. According to Gulf News, the group has:
- Added 400 trucks.
- Increased Etihad Rail service frequency.
- Rerouted feeder services through Fujairah Terminals and Khor Fakkan Port.
- Introduced air cargo solutions for food, pharmaceuticals, and other critical goods.
- Used six chartered aircraft.
- Added more than 54,000 square metres of storage and warehousing capacity.
The wider UAE strategy is integrating sea, road, rail, air cargo, bonded customs corridors, free zones, and cold storage. WAM reports on the UAE’s expanding logistics network, including connections between east-coast ports, Oman, inland distribution centres, and international markets.
The Middle East food logistics market is projected to grow from approximately USD 67.14 billion in 2025 to USD 100.59 billion by 2030. The UAE is positioned as a key player because of its ports, free zones, air cargo infrastructure, warehousing capacity, and established re-export channels. Gulf News details this food logistics outlook.
2. Regulatory Update: EU PFAS Packaging Limits
The EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation introduces strict PFAS limits for food-contact packaging from 12 August 2026. There is no grace period for packaging placed on the EU market after the effective date.
The principal thresholds are:
| Requirement | Maximum limit |
|---|---|
| Individual non-polymeric PFAS | 25 ppb |
| Sum of non-polymeric PFAS | 250 ppb |
| Total fluorine / total PFAS screening | 50 ppm |
The limits apply to relevant packaging materials, including coatings, inks, adhesives, barrier layers, and other food-contact components. Exporters supplying food products to EU customers must obtain supporting laboratory documentation and provide an EU Declaration of Conformity.
Exporters should complete the following controls:
- Map all packaging materials and chemical components.
- Request PFAS and fluorine test reports from packaging suppliers.
- Confirm targeted PFAS testing and total fluorine screening.
- Retain technical documentation for each packaging format.
- Update the EU Declaration of Conformity before dispatch.
- Confirm that existing packaging stock can legally be placed on the EU market.
The European Commission PPWR materials and the official EU regulation should be reviewed with the importer or compliance adviser. A practical UAE-focused explanation is also available from United Arab Times.
3. Al Aweer Market Updates: 24 August 2026
The following prices are the approved daily reference supplied through MyVegmarket’s Al Aweer price platform. Prices are reference rates for wholesale planning. Final transactions vary according to origin, grade, pack condition, volume, and negotiation.
| Product | Pack size | Reference price |
|---|---|---|
| Onion | 1 kg | AED 2.00 |
| Ginger | 3 kg | AED 7.00 |
| Pomegranate | 2 kg | AED 13.00 |
| Small onion | 3 kg | AED 14.00 |
| Garlic | 3 kg | AED 16.00 |
| YB banana | 4 kg | AED 16.00 |
| Cluster beans | 3 kg | AED 17.00 |
| Ivy gourd | 3 kg | AED 18.00 |
| RK banana | 4 kg | AED 20.00 |
| Banana leaf | 4 kg | AED 24.00 |
| Suran | 9 kg | AED 24.00 |
| Amla | 3.5 kg | AED 24.00 |
| Green chilli | 4.5 kg | AED 26.00 |
| Drumstick | 3 kg | AED 28.00 |
| Okra | 3 kg | AED 32.00 |
| G9 banana green | 13 kg | AED 37.00 |
| Fresh turmeric | 3 kg | AED 38.00 |
| G9 banana yellow | 13 kg | AED 45.00 |
| Dry coconut | 13 kg | AED 48.00 |
Market insight: onion stability
Onion is holding at AED 2.00 per kilogram on the daily reference. This provides a relatively stable planning point for restaurants, supermarkets, retailers, and foodservice distributors. However, buyers must continue monitoring Indian, Egyptian, Yemeni, local, and other origin-specific prices because grade, bag type, crop cycle, and shipment availability can create significant differences.
Stable onion pricing supports contract planning, but it does not eliminate supply risk. Buyers should maintain at least two approved origins and confirm replacement volumes before committing to promotional or high-volume orders.
Market insight: banana spread
The banana market shows a clear spread between green and yellow G9 bananas:
- G9 banana green: AED 37 per 13 kg, approximately AED 2.85 per kg.
- G9 banana yellow: AED 45 per 13 kg, approximately AED 3.46 per kg.
The yellow product carries an AED 8 per carton premium, or approximately AED 0.62 per kilogram. This spread reflects ripeness, shelf-life positioning, handling requirements, and immediate saleability. Supermarkets and restaurants should align purchase timing with expected sell-through to control shrinkage and protect margins.
4. Mayil Global: Distribution for Exporters and UAE Buyers
Mayil Global supports exporters, supermarkets, restaurants, retailers, and wholesale distributors through structured sourcing and distribution.
Verified buyer for exporters UAE
Mayil Global operates as a verified buyer for exporters in the UAE, supporting exporters that require a credible local distribution channel, clear purchasing coordination, and dependable market access. Exporters can review Mayil Global’s sourcing and logistics services or contact the team through the company contact page.
3 percent commission distributor UAE model
The 3% commission-based distributor UAE model gives international and local exporters a transparent distribution option. Instead of carrying an unnecessarily heavy distribution margin, exporters can use Mayil Global’s local market access, buyer relationships, quality control, and logistics coordination for a defined 3% commission.
Immediate cash-and-carry container purchase
Exporters can also evaluate an immediate cash-and-carry container purchase where the product, documentation, inspection, and commercial terms are approved in advance. This model supports faster liquidity and reduces prolonged inventory exposure at origin.
Mayil Global also supplies fresh fruits, vegetables, premium spices, premium rice, and farm fresh eggs to UAE supermarkets, restaurants, and retailers. Products are managed through inspection, hygienic handling, organized packaging, proper storage, and timely distribution.
5. Exporter Checklist: How to Export Food to Dubai
Exporters preparing food shipments for Dubai should complete the following steps:
-
Confirm the buyer and product specification
Agree on product name, origin, grade, pack size, labelling, shelf life, delivery point, and payment terms. -
Verify UAE import requirements
Confirm the importer’s trade licence, food registration requirements, customs documentation, and product-specific approvals. -
Prepare export documents
Typical documents include the commercial invoice, packing list, certificate of origin, bill of lading or airway bill, health certificate, phytosanitary certificate for applicable produce, and relevant laboratory reports. -
Control packaging and labelling
Use hygienic, food-grade packaging. Ensure labels identify product, origin, net weight, production or packing date, expiry or best-before information where required, and exporter details. -
Protect the cold chain
Maintain appropriate temperature, humidity, ventilation, palletization, and reefer settings from farm to port and through UAE distribution. -
Complete pre-shipment quality control
Inspect appearance, maturity, weight, defects, residue compliance, packaging integrity, and contamination risks before loading. -
Plan route resilience
Review port, road, rail, and air alternatives. Avoid relying on one origin, one route, or one payment channel. -
Use an established UAE distributor
A verified local buyer or distributor can coordinate customs, inspection, storage, wholesale distribution, and final delivery. Mayil Global offers the 3% commission distributor UAE model and immediate cash-and-carry container purchasing for approved shipments.
The UAE market continues to reward exporters that combine competitive pricing with documentation accuracy, food safety, reliable logistics, and consistent quality control. Mayil Global is positioned to support dependable supply and long-term B2B relationships across the UAE.
Sources
- ZAWYA: UAE non-oil trade and exports in H1 2026
- Gulf News: UAE suspends trade and financial transactions with Iran
- Gulf News: AD Ports expands trucks, ships, rail, and air cargo routes
- DP World: 500,000 TEUs moved across GCC overland network
- WAM: UAE logistics network expansion
- Gulf News: UAE and the USD 100 billion food logistics market
- European Commission: PPWR materials
- EUR-Lex: Regulation (EU) 2025/40
- United Arab Times: EU PFAS packaging requirements
- MyVegmarket: Al Aweer reference prices
- Mayil Global: Sourcing and logistics