Bilateral Trade Focus
🇮🇳 → 🇦🇪

India to UAE
Agricultural Trade

The UAE is India's largest destination for Basmati Rice and a critical re-export hub for Gulf and African markets. JFT Agro has maintained continuous shipments to Jebel Ali since 2010 — CIF, FOB, and private-label supply ready.

$3.2B
India–UAE Agro Trade (2024)
#1
UAE — Top Basmati Buyer
6–9
Days: Mundra → Jebel Ali
0%
Import Duty on Rice (UAE)
Why UAE?

The UAE Advantage for
Indian Exporters

Strategic Re-Export Hub

Dubai functions as a major re-export gateway. Indian commodities enter UAE duty-free and reach 150+ countries through Jebel Ali — the Middle East's busiest port.

3.5M Indian Diaspora

A massive South Asian consumer base creates year-round, high-volume demand for Basmati rice, Indian spices, pulses, and packaged food products.

CEPA Trade Agreement

India–UAE CEPA (2022) reduced duties and streamlined documentation, cutting compliance costs for eligible agricultural commodities.

Short Transit Time

Just 6–9 days sailing from Mundra or JNPT to Jebel Ali — among the shortest routes for any Indian export destination. Low freight rates support competitive CIF pricing.

Products

Top Export Products to
UAE & Gulf Region

1121 Basmati
Top Seller
1121 Golden Sella Basmati
50kg PP / Jute Bags | 24–25 MT / 20ft
FOB ~$700/MT
1509 Basmati
1509 Basmati Rice
Steam / Sella | Private Label Available
FOB ~$720/MT
IR-64
IR-64 Parboiled Rice
5% Broken | Large-volume supply
FOB ~$380/MT
🌶️
Turmeric & Cumin
14 MT / 20ft | Whole or Ground
FOB from $1,100/MT
🍬
Sugar S-30
50kg PP Bags | 25–26 MT / 20ft
FOB ~$430/MT
Browse Full Catalogue
Ports

UAE & GCC Ports We Serve

We regularly load FCL containers destined for the following UAE and GCC ports. Multi-port B/L splits available on request.

Jebel Ali (Dubai, UAE)
World's 9th busiest port · 6–9 days from Mundra
Main hub for re-export to Africa, GCC
Port Zayed (Abu Dhabi, UAE)
Industrial and government procurement hub
Strong demand for bulk grains and sugar
Dammam / King Abdul Aziz (KSA)
Primary Saudi port for Indian commodities
High-volume Basmati and spice imports
Port Sultan Qaboos (Oman)
Growing direct import market
Particularly strong for Non-Basmati rice
Doha (Qatar)
Post-2022 FIFA infrastructure boom drives demand
Premium-quality preference
Shuwaikh / Shuaiba (Kuwait)
Stable import volumes year-round
Institutional and retail buyers active
Compliance

UAE Import Regulations

Key compliance requirements we manage on your behalf for smooth UAE customs clearance:

ESMA / Halal Labeling

UAE requires Arabic labeling and ESMA-conforming nutritional panels. We support private-label packaging with Arabic text for retail-ready products.

MOCCAE Phytosanitary

Phytosanitary Certificate from India's National Plant Protection Organization (NPPO) is required. We arrange this with every shipment at no extra cost.

FIRS Registration (Dubai)

Food products entering Dubai Emirate must be registered with Dubai Municipality FIRS. We have existing registrations for most product categories.

Import Duty

India–UAE CEPA (signed 2022) provides preferential duty rates. Rice: 0% duty. Spices: 5% standard rate. Sugar: subject to quota. Always verify current tariffs with UAE customs.

Certificate of Origin

COO issued by APEDA or FIEO, legalized by UAE Embassy New Delhi. We process all documentation within 3 working days of LC opening.

Pesticide Residue Limits

UAE follows Codex Alimentarius MRLs. We conduct pre-shipment pesticide residue testing through SGS/Intertek — results shared before loading.

Client Voices

What Our UAE Partners Say

★★★★★

"We've sourced 1121 Sella Basmati from JFT Agro for 4 years. Consistent quality, on-time shipments, and their documentation is always immaculate. Our Dubai Municipality approvals are seamless because of how well their paperwork is prepared."

KA
Khalid Al-Mansoori
Procurement Director, Al Baraka Trading — Dubai, UAE
★★★★★

"JFT Agro handles our private-label rice for UAE retail. From artwork to delivery to our Jebel Ali warehouse — they manage everything. The Arabic labeling compliance is perfect every time."

SM
Sana Merchant
Category Manager, Gulf Foods Group — Abu Dhabi, UAE
★★★★☆

"Reliable supply chain, competitive FOB rates, and their WhatsApp team is responsive even outside business hours. Switched our entire rice supply to JFT Agro and haven't looked back."

YR
Yousef Al-Rashid
Import Manager, Gulf Distribution Co. — Sharjah, UAE
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Ready to Source from India
for Your UAE Business?

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