Irish exports to Arab States reach all time high, increasing by 23% for 2022

€2.2 billion worth of goods exported with Saudi Arabia and UAE accounting for half.

New economic report highlights opportunities for Irish businesses.

17th January 2023: Irish exports to the Arab World reached record levels in 2022, having increased 23% in the first nine months of 2022 compared to the same period last year, according to a new economic report by Irish economist Jim Power. The report, prepared on behalf of the Irish Arab Chamber of Commerce, shows that Ireland exported over €2.2 billion in goods alone to the Arab states in the first nine months of 2022, up from €1.8 billion in 2021, and is the largest export total ever recorded with the region.

There were notable increases in exports of Irish goods and services to countries including Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Yemen.

For Irish SMEs looking to expand their reach when it comes to export partners, the countries of the Arab region should be considered according to Jim Power. “It is a key time to think about exploring opportunities elsewhere, and the reality is business owners don’t have to look too far to successfully diversify their export markets. The countries of the Arab World import many of the products and services that Irish companies can supply competitively; they have considerable resources to fund their imports; their rising populations cause demand to grow year after year—and they are relatively close to Ireland in terms of accessibility.”

Countries of greatest opportunity

The region of 21 states has a growing population of more than 444 million people, representing 5.5% of the world’s population and accounting for 3.1% of the world’s economy. The population of the region is growing rapidly and is forecast to exceed 500 million, 6% of the global population, by 2028.

Saudi Arabia: With a population of 35.3 million, Saudi Arabia remains the largest importer of Irish goods among the AICC member countries. According to the report, exports to Saudi Arabia increased by 23% compared with last year. Exports to Saudi Arabia also hold the highest value of overall exports to the Arab World, with a significant €627.5 million worth of Irish goods exported in the first three quarters of 2022.

Essential oils, perfume materials and toilet preparations accounted for 41.4% of total exports; medicinal and pharmaceutical products accounted for 32%; miscellaneous edible products and preparations accounted for 5.2% and dairy products and birds’ eggs accounted for 4.9%.

According to Mr Power, Saudi Arabia holds significant potential: “A wide variety of products are exported to Saudi Arabia, but for many the magnitude is quite modest. Clearly, the multi-national sector dominates trade, but many of the smaller export sectors have a strong SME presence, so the potential for export growth for the SME sector does look significant.”

The UAE, which is home to an estimated 10,000 Irish expats and with a population of almost 10 million, imported €478 million worth of Irish goods so far this year, the second highest value overall with an increase of 26% for 2022 compared with 2021. “It is one of the most dynamic and diversified economies in the Arab region with significant growth potential for Irish businesses,” says Mr Power.

Algeria & Egypt: Two other major importers of Irish dairy are Algeria and Egypt. Egypt is the world’s 11th largest dairy importer so represents a significant opportunity for Irish dairy businesses. Irish exports to Egypt grew by 36% in 2022, from €198 million (Q1-Q3 2021) to €268.5 million (Q1-Q3 2022), representing the third largest market for Irish exports.

Algeria, with a population of 44.6 million, is the third largest whole milk powder importer in the world. Total Irish exports to Algeria grew this year by 32% from €66.7 million (Q1-Q3 2021) to €88.2 million (Q1-Q3 2022), largely attributable to the agri-food sector. This, coupled with the fact that an Algerian embassy recently opened in Ireland, means there are strengthened business relations and more opportunity.

Qatar and Oman: Other notable increases for 2022 lie in exports to Qatar and Oman, with an increase in exports of 38% to Qatar for the first three quarters of 2022.

There was a staggering 176% increase in exports to Oman for the same period (from €44.8 million to €123.5 million) indicating that Oman offers great potential as an export destination with the top performing category in terms of export value being essential oils, perfumes, cosmetics & toiletries.

According to Mr Power, while some of the other countries are very small in terms of export market share, significant export growth was recorded in many of those countries in the first nine months of 2022: “In total, 16 of the 22 countries saw export growth in excess of 10 per cent; 11 of the countries recorded export growth in excess of 20 per cent; and four countries recorded export growth in excess of 100 per cent.”

Two countries to watch are Bahrain and Yemen, each of which had notable increases in exports for 2022 of 40% and 196% respectively with values standing at €46 million for Bahrain and €19 million for Yemen.

What makes the Arab World an attractive prospect?

According to Ahmad Younis, CEO of the Irish Arab Chamber of Commerce (AICC) : “The Arab World represents a diverse and rapidly growing market for Irish businesses, so the opportunities really are endless. Demand for imports has increased, and, coupled with multiple large-scale investment and recent infrastructure improvements, it’s a market brimming with potential for Irish SMEs.”

“Connectivity is an important driver of trade in goods and services, particularly tourism in both directions,” adds Mr Power. “Four Arab airlines are now flying into Ireland, and the demand for more flights is strong.

“The international reputation for Irish products is strong. Irish agricultural produce is regarded as of a high quality, with a strong organic component. For technology, and pharmaceutical products, Ireland is recognised as a highly regulated and high-quality production environment.”

The Department of Foreign Affairs is also working to facilitate business opportunities in the region with the Middle East declared a priority market under the Government’s Trade and Investment Strategy 2022-2026.[i] This means putting more personnel on the ground in the Arab World, in the form of new embassies and staff from Enterprise Ireland, the IDA and Bord Bia.

[i] Department of Foreign Affairs: www.dfa.ie

Taking the first step

Mr Younis advises that companies make use of all available resources: “There is a lot of help and guidance available at a local level to entrepreneurs interested in exploring exporting options.  Start by having conversations with organisations like Bord Bia and the AICC. Enterprise Ireland also has specialist teams to specifically support Irish firms in getting started and can explain the different business models that operate out there. Do your research and find out what’s right for you and your business.”

For further information including a guide on exporting to the Arab States, visit www.aicc.ie

For the full report or to request an interview, contact Fiona Thornton, Sherry Communications: Fiona.thornton@grayling.com / 086 892 8277.

Addendum

Opportunities for growth by sector

  • Food sector: Growing populations along with constrained and relatively underdeveloped agriculture in the region means there is an ongoing opportunity for Irish businesses operating in the food sector and, in particular, dairy and meat.
  • Essential oils, perfume and toiletries: These products account for a growing and significant portion of merchandise exports to key markets including Saudi Arabia.
  • Pharma and medical: Driven by demographic factors, the incidence of lifestyle-related conditions and the move towards improving the healthcare sector.
  • Healthcare: There is a significant shortage of local healthcare professionals creating opportunities to directly provide healthcare or provide healthcare training.
  • Agricultural advice and training are expected to be growth areas as countries look to improve their food security and production capacity.
  • Construction: With ambitious plans across the region for large volumes of investment across economic and social infrastructure, there is a wide range of opportunities in construction and development services (urban planners, QS, architects, engineers and construction companies).
  • Education: Policies aimed at improving education together with a shortage of local teachers generates opportunities to directly provide education or teacher training services, particularly in the Gulf States
  • Renewables: Policies aimed at increasing the share of renewables in the local energy markets point to opportunities for Irish businesses with knowledge, experience and capabilities in the development and operation of renewables infrastructure.
  • Infrastructure: There is a move to privatise significant elements of state-owned enterprises in many of the Gulf Countries, which could lead to opportunities for Irish infrastructure firms in areas such as transport, logistics, energy and water.
  • Aviation: Aviation-related services will provide significant opportunities for Irish businesses operating in this sector, particularly in the UAE.
  • Tourism: Many of the AICC ‘s member countries view tourism as a means of diversifying their economies and generating employment, which opens doors for those who can offer technical and marketing advice in addition to operating facilities.

About the Arab Irish Chamber of Commerce

  • For more than 30 years, the AICC has been facilitating exports from Ireland to the Arab world by arranging and processing all requisite documents, making it easier for Irish companies to do business with Arab countries.
  • The AICC promotes Ireland and Irish exporters to Arab countries. AICC strengthens trade links between Ireland and the region through its link with the embassies, business groups and government bodies.