Beef, sheep or goat fat market in the United Arab Emirates

Earlier Report Observations

The market for beef, sheep and goat fats in the United Arab Emirates saw substantial growth from 2018 to 2023, with its volume rising from 2 146 t to 3 562 t. This expansion was primarily driven by a sharp increase in imports, which more than tripled over the period, while domestic production grew at a steadier pace. After a minor contraction in 2019, the market accelerated significantly in 2020 and 2021, with the latter year recording a jump of over 30%.

Imports became the dominant supply source, climbing from 544 t in 2018 to 1 929 t in 2023. Domestic output also contributed, rising from 1 608 t to 1 691 t. The market experienced a brief stabilization in 2022 before growth resumed in 2023, with exports playing a negligible role in the overall supply balance throughout these years.

Production beef, sheep or goat fat in the United Arab Emirates

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of beef, sheep or goat fat, 2017-2020

World map of production of beef, sheep or goat fat, 2017-2020

In 2020, the United Arab Emirates produced 1 639 tonnes of beef, sheep, or goat fat, marking a slight increase of 2.8% from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 2.6%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 0.9%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 1 594 tonnes, with the largest decline of 0.9% also occurring that year.

Annual dynamics of production in the United Arab Emirates in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports beef, sheep or goat fat from the United Arab Emirates

Exports in kind, t

The export market displayed an unstable trend over the observed period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 6 tonnes and peaked in 2020 at 88 tonnes, representing a 14.3-fold difference. In 2020, the United Arab Emirates exported 88 tonnes of beef, sheep, or goat fat, which was a significant increase of 107.4% compared to 2019. The largest decline of 72.8% was recorded in 2018, while the largest increase of 589.2% occurred in 2019.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from the United Arab Emirates in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Iran, Iraq, and Kuwait formed the core of exports in kind, accounting for 34.1%, 33.9%, and 12.7% of total exports, respectively. Together, these three countries represented 80.7% of all export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from the United Arab Emirates in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

The export market in value terms showed signs of volatility during the period. Exports reached their minimum in 2018 at 15.7 thousand US dollars and their maximum in 2019 at 76.0 thousand US dollars, with a 4.8-fold difference between these years. In 2020, the United Arab Emirates exported 71.8 thousand US dollars worth of beef, sheep, or goat fat, reflecting a modest decrease of 5.5% from the previous year. The largest decline of 52.1% was recorded in 2018, while the largest increase of 382.8% occurred in 2019.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from the United Arab Emirates in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, Oman, Iran, and Iraq were the principal buyers of beef, sheep, or goat fat from the United Arab Emirates in value terms, accounting for 33.0%, 25.5%, and 16.0% of total exports, respectively. Collectively, these three markets represented 74.5% of all export value.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from the United Arab Emirates in value, 2017-2020

Imports beef, sheep or goat fat to the United Arab Emirates

Imports in kind, t

Import volumes experienced noticeable fluctuations during the period. They dropped to their lowest point in 2018 at 544 tonnes and climbed to their maximum in 2017, showing a 1.9-fold variation. In 2020, the United Arab Emirates imported 969 tonnes of beef, sheep, or goat fat, which was a steep rise of 70.9% compared to the previous year. The largest decline of 48.7% was recorded in 2018.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to the United Arab Emirates in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Kuwait, Iran, and India consistently remained the main sources for imports in kind, accounting for 24.6%, 23.3%, and 18.6% of total imports, respectively. Together, these three countries made up 66.6% of all import flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to the United Arab Emirates in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

Import values showed noticeable fluctuations over the period. They reached their minimum in 2019 at 367.9 thousand US dollars and their maximum in 2017, with a 1.9-fold variation. In 2020, the volume of beef, sheep, or goat fat imports into the United Arab Emirates stood at 673.6 thousand US dollars, reflecting an increase of 83.1% compared to 2019. The largest decline of 37.2% was recorded in 2018.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to the United Arab Emirates in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, Kuwait, Iran, and India were the main markets for imports in value terms, accounting for 22.2%, 21.0%, and 17.6% of total imports, respectively. Collectively, these three countries represented 60.8% of all import flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to the United Arab Emirates in value, 2017-2020