United Arab Emirates-South Africa Bilateral Trade Analysis 2023
Complete trade statistics: $8.04B total volume •United Arab Emirates surplus: $487.25M
United Arab Emirates → South Africa
$4.26B
Exports (2023)
South Africa → United Arab Emirates
$3.77B
Imports (2023)
Trade Balance
$487.25M
Surplus for United Arab Emirates
Total Trade
$8.04B
Combined Volume
Trade Flow Visualization
Direct trade relationship between United Arab Emirates and South Africa. Green line shows exports from United Arab Emirates, red line shows imports.
Detailed Product Trade Analysis
Comprehensive breakdown of trade flows by product category, revealing the specialized nature of the United Arab Emirates-South Africa commercial relationship and competitive positioning in global markets.
United Arab Emirates → South Africa Exports
Export Market Intelligence
🎯 Strategic Export Focus
United Arab Emirates's export portfolio to South Africa demonstrates strong diversification across multiple sectors, with petroleum oils and oils from bituminous minerals, not crude: preparations n.e.c. containing by weight 70% or more of petroleum oils or oils from bituminous minerals: these being the basic constituents of the preparations: waste oils representing a key competitive advantage in this bilateral market.
South Africa → United Arab Emirates Imports
Import Dependency Profile
📦 Import Strategy Analysis
United Arab Emirates's import pattern from South Africa reveals strategic sourcingin metals: gold, non-monetary, unwrought (but not powder), highlighting complementary economic structures and potential supply chain optimization opportunities.
Competitive Trade Position Analysis
Market Leadership
United Arab Emirates demonstrates competitive strength in exportingpetroleum oils and oils from bituminous minerals, not crude: preparations n.e.c. containing by weight 70% or more of petroleum oils or oils from bituminous minerals: these being the basic constituents of the preparations: waste oils to South Africa, leveraging comparative advantages.
Trade Complementarity
The bilateral relationship showsstrongcomplementarity, with each country specializing in different sectors.
Growth Potential
The $8.04B trade volume indicates substantial economic integration with room for expansion in emerging sectors.
Executive Summary: United Arab Emirates-South Africa Trade Relationship
Key Trade Highlights 2023
- Total Trade Volume: $8.04 billionrepresenting a significant bilateral economic relationship
- Trade Balance: United Arab Emirates maintains a surplus of $487.25 million
- Export Focus: United Arab Emirates's primary exports include petroleum oils and oils from bituminous minerals, not crude: preparations n.e.c. containing by weight 70% or more of petroleum oils or oils from bituminous minerals: these being the basic constituents of the preparations: waste oils, copper: wire, of refined copper, of which the maximum cross-sectional dimension exceeds 6mm, diamonds: non-industrial, (other than unworked or simply sawn, cleaved or bruted), but not mounted or set
- Import Dependencies: Key imports from South Africa include metals: gold, non-monetary, unwrought (but not powder), diamonds: non-industrial, (other than unworked or simply sawn, cleaved or bruted), but not mounted or set, diamonds: non-industrial, unworked or simply sawn, cleaved or bruted, but not mounted or set
Strategic Trade Indicators
📈 Market Position: This bilateral trade relationship represents an important regional trade partnerships, with complementary economic strengths driving sustained commercial exchange.
Historical Trade Analysis & Economic Context
Trade Evolution Timeline
2019-2023: Recent Trends
Current trade volume of $8.04B represents the culmination of evolving bilateral commercial relationships, influenced by global supply chain shifts and changing economic priorities.
2015-2019: Growth Period
Sustained expansion in bilateral trade driven by complementary economic structures, with United Arab Emirates leveraging its comparative advantages in petroleum oils and oils from bituminous minerals, not crude: preparations n.e.c. containing by weight 70% or more of petroleum oils or oils from bituminous minerals: these being the basic constituents of the preparations: waste oils.
2010-2015: Foundation Building
Establishment of modern trade frameworks and reduction of barriers, facilitating increased commercial exchange and investment flows between the two economies.
Pre-2010: Early Development
Initial stages of bilateral trade relationship development, with focus on traditional export-import patterns and gradual market integration.
Key Economic Drivers
Comparative Advantage
United Arab Emirates's specialization in petroleum oils and oils from bituminous minerals, not crude: preparations n.e.c. containing by weight 70% or more of petroleum oils or oils from bituminous minerals: these being the basic constituents of the preparations: waste oilscomplements South Africa's demand patterns, creating natural trade synergies.
Supply Chain Integration
Deep integration in global value chains has strengthened bilateral linkages, particularly in metals: gold, non-monetary, unwrought (but not powder).
Market Access & Trade Policy
Favorable trade agreements and market access conditions have facilitated the growth of this $8.04B bilateral relationship.
Trade Pattern Insights
Trade Relationship Outlook
The $8.04B bilateral trade volume positions this relationship for continued growth, supported by technological advancement, evolving consumer preferences, and strengthening economic ties. Key opportunities lie in expanding cooperation in emerging sectors while managing potential supply chain vulnerabilities.
Economic Impact & Strategic Outlook
Economic Impact Assessment
Trade Volume Impact
The $8.04 billion bilateral trade volume represents a important trade relationshipfor both economies.
Industrial Integration
Trade flows in petroleum oils and oils from bituminous minerals, not crude: preparations n.e.c. containing by weight 70% or more of petroleum oils or oils from bituminous minerals: these being the basic constituents of the preparations: waste oils and metals: gold, non-monetary, unwrought (but not powder) demonstrate deep industrial linkages and supply chain integration.
Trade Balance Effects
United Arab Emirates's trade surplus of $487.25 million strengthens its overall economic position in this bilateral relationship.
Strategic Future Outlook
🚀Growth Opportunities
⚠️Risk Factors
🎯Strategic Recommendations
- Strengthen cooperation in high-value sectors beyond current trade patterns
- Develop alternative supply chains to reduce dependency risks
- Explore joint ventures in emerging technology sectors
- Enhance trade facilitation and reduce transaction costs
Market Position & Competitive Summary
The bilateral trade relationship between United Arab Emirates and South Africa represents a total trade volume of $8.04 billion in 2023. This partnership demonstrates a favorable trade balance for United Arab Emirates, with exports exceeding importsby $487.25 million.
Export Strengths
United Arab Emirates's exports to South Africa total $4.26 billion, with competitive advantages in petroleum oils and oils from bituminous minerals, not crude: preparations n.e.c. containing by weight 70% or more of petroleum oils or oils from bituminous minerals: these being the basic constituents of the preparations: waste oils, representing $3.31B or77.8% of bilateral exports.
Import Dependencies
Imports from South Africa amount to $3.77 billion, highlighting economic interdependence in metals: gold, non-monetary, unwrought (but not powder), with Metals: gold, non-monetary, unwrought (but not powder) comprising27.2% of total imports.
The trade relationship reflects broader economic patterns and comparative advantages. The trade surplus indicates United Arab Emirates's competitive position in this bilateral relationship. This partnership is characterized by complementary trade flows, with each country specializing in different product categories based on their respective economic strengths, industrial capabilities, and position in global value chains.
Download Bilateral Trade Data
Access detailed trade data between United Arab Emirates and South Africa in multiple formats.
Data Source: CEPII BACI (Base pour l'Analyse du Commerce International) • Last Updated: January 2025 • Coverage: 1995-2023