Spinach market in the United Arab Emirates

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the UAE's spinach market volume remained stable at around 3 100 t. Growing demand for fresh vegetables supported the market, while the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 heightened focus on imported fresh and chilled foods to ensure food security, maintaining import levels despite production fluctuations.

Market volume expanded to 3 262 t by 2022, driven by the growth of e‑commerce for fresh groceries, which spurred investments in specialized cold‑chain logistics. The launch of the world's largest food and vegetable market in Dubai in 2021 improved distribution infrastructure, and shifting consumer preferences toward fresh, high‑quality produce further boosted demand.

In 2023, market volume fell to 3 062 t. During this period, regulatory updates for food‑delivery services aimed at enhancing service quality were implemented, and UAE companies increased investments in agricultural technology to improve local production efficiency. By 2024, the cold‑chain logistics sector continued to develop, supported by new large‑scale market openings and ongoing regulatory emphasis on food safety.

Production spinach in the United Arab Emirates

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of spinach, 2017-2020

World map of production of spinach, 2017-2020

Spinach production in the United Arab Emirates declined after two consecutive years of growth. In 2019, production peaked at 2 520 tonnes, marking a 1.8% increase from the previous year. However, by 2020, output had fallen to 2 447 tonnes, representing a 2.9% year-on-year decrease.

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

Exports spinach from the United Arab Emirates

Exports in kind, t

Spinach exports from the United Arab Emirates showed significant volatility over the period. In 2017, exports hit their lowest point, then surged dramatically to reach a peak of 182.1 tonnes in 2018—a remarkable 2 247.7% increase from the previous year. By 2020, exports had plummeted to just 63.6 tonnes, a sharp 47.2% drop compared to 2019. Overall, exports varied by a factor of 23 between the low in 2017 and the high in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Afghanistan was the dominant destination for spinach exports from the United Arab Emirates, accounting for 91.5% of total export volume.

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 value of spinach exports from the United Arab Emirates experienced considerable fluctuations. In 2017, export value was at its minimum, before climbing to a high of 259 thousand US dollars in 2018—a substantial 1 941.6% increase from the previous year. By 2020, export value had dropped to 128 thousand US dollars, a steep 43.1% decline compared to 2019. The difference between the minimum in 2017 and the maximum in 2018 was twentyfold.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Afghanistan was the primary market for spinach exports from the United Arab Emirates in value terms, representing 88.7% of total export value, with other partners making up the remainder.

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 spinach to the United Arab Emirates

Imports in kind, t

Spinach imports into the United Arab Emirates followed a declining trend from 2017 to 2020, with an overall decrease of 13.8% over the period, equivalent to an annualized rate of 4.8%. Imports reached their highest point in 2018 at 844.7 tonnes, then fell to a low of 716.2 tonnes in 2019—a 15.2% drop from the previous year. In 2020, imports rose slightly to 723.2 tonnes, a modest 1.0% increase compared to 2019.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy, China, and the United States were the main sources of spinach imports into the United Arab Emirates, together supplying 81.4% of total import volume.

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

The value of spinach imports into the United Arab Emirates decreased by 5.3% from 2017 to 2020, averaging an annualized decline of 1.8%. Imports peaked in 2018 at 5 106 thousand US dollars, a 6.1% increase from the previous year, before dropping to a low of 4 359 thousand US dollars in 2019—a 14.6% fall. In 2020, import value recovered slightly to 4 558 thousand US dollars, up 4.6% compared to 2019.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Italy dominated the value of spinach imports into the United Arab Emirates, accounting for 77.9% of total import value, while other countries played a relatively minor role.

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