More than a billion dollars’ worth of Australian produce will be exported duty-free under a new trade deal with the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Federal Trade Minister Don Farrell said the signing of the Australia – United Arab Emirates Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement would eliminate tariffs on key agricultural exports to the Middle Eastern country.
Minister Farrell said the deal removed tariffs on over 99 per cent of Australia’s exports to the UAE, including meat, dairy, grains and oilseeds, chickpeas, lentils, nuts, horticulture and honey.
“Canola seeds are Australia’s largest agriculture export to the UAE, topping $741 million in 2023 and our red meat exports to the UAE were worth over $480 million in 2023,” he said.
“Australian exporters of these products will receive duty-free access from day one of the deal coming into force.”
Minister Farrell said the UAE was an important export market for Australian products.
“It’s our largest market in the Middle East, with two-way trade valued at $9.9 billion in 2023. The UAE also acts a distribution hub for the Gulf region.”
Minister Farrell said Australian farmers and producers would benefit from an estimated $50 million annually in tariff savings.
He said the deal established modern, flexible and trade-facilitating outcomes with the UAE on rules of origin and commitments for customs procedures.
“These conditions, combined with the removal of tariffs, create commercially significant benefits for Australian exporters.”
Minister Farrell said the deal contained Australia’s first standalone chapter on sustainable agriculture and food systems.
“This recognises agriculture’s essential role in ensuring food security and driving climate resilience, emissions reductions and other environmental outcomes, while also ensuring that sustainability measures are not applied with a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach or create barriers to trade.”
