Why Are Korean Food Exports to the UAE Up 49.9 Percent in 2026?

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Korean agricultural, food and seafood exports to the UAE reached $331.71 million in the period through September 10, 2026, up 49.9% from a year earlier, according to the Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation (aT). The figure covers agricultural, food and seafood products. The UAE grew faster than Korea's two largest markets, the United States (12.9%) and China (14.0%).

How does the UAE compare with the US and China?

The US remains Korea's largest food export market at $1.81 billion, followed by China at $1.67 billion. The UAE is much smaller in value, but its growth rate was about 3.9 times the US rate and 3.6 times the China rate. Overall Korean food exports passed $10 billion in 253 days, the fastest pace on record, led by instant noodles at $1.31 billion (up 27.2%). According to aT, Korea’s agricultural, fisheries and food-related exports to the UAE reached $331.71 million through September 10, 2026, up 49.9% year on year.

Is the whole Gulf growing?

Yes. However, the GCC figures cover a different geographic area and reporting period, so they should not be directly compared with the UAE total. Korea's Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA) reported that exports to the GCC countries rose 37.6% to $159.7 million from January to April 2026. That covers the Gulf as a whole, not the UAE alone. Growth held up despite the regional conflict, as exporters rerouted cargo from Jebel Ali to ports such as Khor Fakkan. In 2025, shipments to Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and Oman rose 22.6% to $411.6 million.

Which Korean products are companies sending to the Gulf?

  • Instant noodles: Nongshim sells 49 halal-certified products, including Shin Ramyun, across Middle Eastern markets. Samyang Foods is also expanding distribution of its halal-certified Buldak products.
  • Seafood and seaweed: Dongwon F&B added more than 20 halal certified products for the UAE and Kuwait, including canned tuna, dried seaweed and seaweed crisps.
  • Snacks and noodles: CJ CheilJedang is targeting the region with halal certified seaweed snacks and stir fried noodles.

What are Korean food companies planning in the Middle East?

As reported in June 2026, Nongshim targets 50% sales growth in the Middle East this year and plans pop-up stores across the region in the second half. These are company targets at the time of reporting, not confirmed results. Dongwon F&B plans to expand its halal lineup, including tteokbokki. CJ CheilJedang sees potential in Saudi Arabia, where the processed noodle market is estimated at about $198 million a year.

What should buyers check before sourcing for the Gulf?

  • Halal certification recognized in the destination country, for every SKU
  • Arabic labeling and GCC standards
  • Shelf life and heat resilience for long transit and storage
  • Shipping routes and backup ports after recent disruption around Jebel Ali
  • Product level data, since national totals mix categories

Key takeaways

  • UAE: up 49.9% to $331.71M through September 10, 2026 (aT)
  • Faster than the US (12.9%) and China (14.0%)
  • GCC: up 37.6% to $159.7M from January to April (MAFRA), region wide
  • Halal certified noodles, seaweed and snacks lead company moves
  • Nongshim's 50% growth is a June target, not a result

About The JRD

The JRD helps global retailers source from Korea. We find, coordinate and manage Korean manufacturers for global retail, from sourcing to compliance and logistics.

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