Russian non-resource exports gain ground in UAE under Made in Russia brand

Bilateral trade between Russia and the UAE reached an unprecedented level by the end of 2025, exceeding $12 billion (Dh44 billion). That figure placed the UAE among Russia’s top 10 trading partners. Forecasts for 2026 indicate the upward trend will hold, with trade expected to stay in the $12 billion to $14 billion range.

Behind the numbers lies a structural change. In the past, Russian exports to the Emirates were mostly energy carriers and raw materials. Today, the mix is becoming noticeably more varied, spanning food products to advanced equipment. Non-resource categories are taking on greater importance in the trade relationship.

Programme ecosystem and festival fairs

The growth in non-resource exports is not accidental but the outcome of systematic efforts under the national Made in Russia programme, which aims to boost exports of non-resource, non-energy goods and increase supplies of agricultural products.

Made in Russia now operates as a full promotional ecosystem. It includes participation in international exhibitions, business missions, and festival fairs. The UAE became the first Gulf country where the programme moved beyond the exhibition stand and became part of city life.

The most visible part of the programme is the festival fairs, which promote cultural exports and business cooperation. The format debuted in February 2025 in Abu Dhabi on the Yas Bay waterfront. Eighty manufacturers from 30 regions of the Russian Federation presented food products, cosmetics, and designer clothing. Alongside cultural events such as master classes and the Digital Art Russia exhibition, a key element was B2B negotiations with 60 Middle Eastern distributors and HoReCa representatives for supplies to MENA countries.

Beyond the festival, the programme maintains a permanent presence at specialised exhibitions in the UAE through large national pavilions under the single Made in Russia brand. This allows Russian manufacturers to present their key achievements directly to leading Middle Eastern players. At Gulfood, the world’s largest food exhibition in Dubai, the Russian exposition has become one of the most prominent, giving UAE distributors access to environmentally clean food products and certified halal items.

High-tech and digital solutions

High-tech, environmental, and digital solutions from Russian companies generate steady interest at major industrial platforms such as WETEX and the IT showcase GITEX. The brand’s coverage spans the Emirates’ entire business calendar, showing that the business community is ready to offer innovations for a wide range of sectors in the UAE economy.

Made in Russia thus serves as an effective bridge linking Russia’s production capacity with the rapidly developing UAE market. The programme gives UAE residents and businesses access to premium domestic products that meet international standards.

This high standard is confirmed by the success of Russian brands that have earned the trust of local consumers and established themselves firmly in the UAE market. The range is wide, from recognisable food products to high-tech solutions.

A notable example is the Miratorg agricultural holding, which moved from its first beef supplies to a large-scale retail presence in the Emirates. An important step in its localisation was the launch of the flagship Miratorg Signature showroom in Dubai’s Motor City district.

Beyond meat, the Made in Russia certificate has brought several iconic domestic brands to the UAE market. Alyonka chocolate and Rot Front products represent Russian sweet traditions and have gained huge popularity among UAE audiences. Other food categories expanding on supermarket shelves include baby food from FrutoNanny, select grains and pulses from Mistral Trading, and innovative dairy solutions from Logika Moloka.

From retail to infrastructure

Russian brands are also moving into retail platforms and specialised sectors. SPLAT Global oral care products are available on the marketplace Noon.com, while Geltek’s professional cosmetics have gained trust in local pharmacies and beauty centres. Russian reliability standards are being integrated into Dubai and Abu Dhabi infrastructure: Sveza supplies high-quality plywood for major construction projects, and Leber provides equipment for safe playgrounds.

The success of these companies across very different niches confirms that the Made in Russia mark has become a universal symbol of reliability for the UAE, guaranteeing high standards in both everyday retail and large-scale industrial projects.

International cooperation between Russia and the UAE is increasingly penetrating the sphere of innovation, where digital and engineering solutions are becoming a key development vector. The main platform for shaping this technological agenda will be the International Export Forum Made in Russia in Moscow, scheduled for 16 November. The annual event brings together business representatives, government officials, and experts from around the world, including key partners from the Middle East. This year the forum’s programme focuses on technological exports, the IT industry, and knowledge-intensive solutions designed to set new global trends and open additional horizons for innovative joint projects.

As part of the forum, the Russian Export Center will set up a large-scale Made in Russia exhibition at the National Centre. A key element will be an interactive zone featuring cutting-edge developments from domestic companies, demonstrating to international guests the best technological achievements of Russian regions.

The journey of the programme — from winning the trust of discerning consumers and filling UAE supermarket shelves to presenting complex knowledge-intensive solutions at a global forum in Moscow — demonstrates the flexibility and potential of Russian business. Today, Made in Russia is becoming not just a symbol of quality goods but an international synonym for reliable technological partnership, ready to respond to the most ambitious challenges of the global economy.

This content comes from Reach by Gulf News, which is the branded content team of GN Media.