UAE: Food Security in the Desert and Prospects for BRICS

Key Indicators of the UAE's Agricultural Sector:

•  Population: 9.7 million

• Urbanization rate: 87.5%

• Share of agriculture in GDP: 0.8%

• Employment in agriculture: 1.4%

Imports:

In 2022, imports of agricultural products into the UAE reached $23.8 billion, showing a 26.2% increase compared to 2021. The main import items were poultry meat (5.6%), beef and bovine offal (3.8%), rapeseed (3.7%), and powdered milk (3.5%).

Exports:

Agricultural exports from the UAE in 2022 amounted to $18.3 billion (+21.1% compared to 2021). A significant share of exports consisted of cigars and cigarettes (27.9%), powdered milk (3.9%), rapeseed oil (3.4%), and tobacco (3.2%).

Strategic Partnership with BRICS:

BRICS countries play a key role in the UAE's foreign trade relations in the agricultural sector, accounting for 33.5% of imports and 27.3% of exports. The UAE is focusing on diversifying food sources and expanding export markets through cooperation with BRICS. The main suppliers in 2022 were India (10.6%), Brazil (8.8%), Saudi Arabia (4.3%), and China (3.4%).

Opportunities for BRICS:

Partnership with the UAE offers BRICS countries the following opportunities:

• Market access: The UAE is a promising market for agricultural products, including grains, meat, dairy products, etc.

• Investment in agricultural technologies: The UAE is actively implementing innovations, creating a favorable investment climate for the development of vertical farming, hydroponics, precision irrigation, and other advanced technologies.

• Joint projects: Potential for joint research projects, as well as programs in the field of education and training of personnel for the agricultural sector.

• Logistics advantages: The UAE is an important transport hub, contributing to the development of trade in agricultural products between BRICS countries and other regions.