The import of iron and steel to the UAE has experienced significant fluctuations over the past decade. In 2023, the import value stood at approximately $4.8612 billion. After a notable decline from 2013 to 2016, there was a recovery trend, peaking in 2018. Since then, the import values have shown mixed trends with a progressive incremental increase forecasted till 2028.

The year-on-year variations witnessed sharp declines and recoveries, reflecting both economic cycles and potential policy changes affecting the steel and iron industries. In recent years, the growth has stabilized with marginal increases such as in 2023, marking a 0.42% rise from the previous year. The forecast CAGR for the next five years is modest at 0.34%, indicating slow but steady growth.

Future trends to watch for:

The impact of global steel prices and supply chain disruptions on import volumes.
Economic policies and infrastructure projects within the UAE potentially driving demand.
The role of technological advancements in increasing domestic steel production capacity.
Environmental regulations and shifts towards sustainable practices in the construction and manufacturing sectors.