Health, Wellness and World Foods Are Driving the Next Phase of India–UAE Trade

The India–United Arab Emirates (UAE) trade relationship has matured into one of India’s most strategic economic partnerships, built on long-standing commercial ties and deep market complementarities. Bilateral trade has crossed US$ 100.06 billion, positioning the UAE among India’s leading trading partners and reinforcing its role as a critical re-export hub connecting Indian businesses to the Middle East, Africa, and Central Asia.

India’s exports to the UAE have shown steady growth, rising from US$ 1.6 billion in 2019 to US$ 2.9 billion in 2024, registering a 12.4% 5-year CAGR in the food and beverages sector, reflecting a diversified and value-added export basket. The implementation of the India–UAE CEPA has further strengthened trade flows, improving market access and boosting confidence for both exporters and buyers.

From a retail standpoint, India remains a highly relevant sourcing destination for the UAE. Pankaj Sajnani, Commercial Head – GCC Grocery Food & Frozen, Choithrams, highlights the scale of opportunity for Indian suppliers:

“India remains a strong sourcing destination for Choithrams, with significant untapped opportunities in staples, authentic and region-specific specialties, and innovative, health-oriented products. For Indian suppliers, consistent quality and reliability, supported by a robust supply chain, will be critical to unlocking sustainable growth in the UAE market.”

As consumer preferences in the UAE continue to evolve, demand is increasingly shaped by health, convenience, and global food exposure. Data-led assortment planning and premiumisation are driving buying decisions across organised retail.

Pankaj also adds:

“Based on our data insights, health and wellness stands out as a high-potential category, driven by the rise of better-for-you snacking and premium, gourmet offerings. Sustainability-led household products and clean-label ranges are also showing strong promise. In addition, world food specialties are emerging as important growth drivers for the coming year.”

Complementing trade, investment flows between the two countries remain strong, with cumulative FDI from the UAE into India reaching US$ 22.84 billion, spanning infrastructure, logistics, food processing, and technology. Together, evolving retail demand, structured trade frameworks, and India’s manufacturing depth continue to strengthen the India–UAE economic corridor.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pankaj-sajnani-364793168

Choithrams: https://www.linkedin.com/company/choithrams/