The import of millstones and grindstones of natural stone to the UAE has shown significant fluctuations over the past decade. After peaking at 3.6258 million kilograms in 2015, volumes declined sharply in 2016 and have since experienced moderate variances. In 2023, the volume stood at 2.0482 million kilograms. Year-on-year variation has been inconsistent, with noticeable declines in some years and growth in others. Over the last two years, the import volume increased by around 1.25% cumulatively. The compound annual growth rate (CAGR) over the past five years is around 0.24%.
From 2024 onwards, forecasted data suggest a stable and slight upward trend, with a 0.84% total growth rate and a 0.17% CAGR over the next five years. Future trends to watch for include:
- Changes in trade regulations and policies in the UAE and trading partners.
- Technological advancements and shifts towards synthetic alternatives impacting demand.
- Geopolitical factors and their effects on global supply chain dynamics.
- Environmental policies influencing the extraction and trade of natural stone.
