Export From Sri Lanka to Dubai

If you are in Sri Lanka and want to export king coconuts, pineapples or fresh vegetables to Dubai, the good news is that the UAE market is full of opportunities. Dubai imports a large amount of fruits and vegetables every day because the country does not grow these products locally in big quantities. This means there is always demand for high quality produce from countries like Sri Lanka.

As CSPzone consultants, we work closely with exporters from South Asia, Africa and Europe. In this article, I will explain three clear and practical ways to find buyers in Dubai. These methods work not only for king coconuts and pineapples but for almost any fresh produce.

Let us make it simple and easy to follow.

Option 1

Find a Distributor in Dubai

This is the simplest method for most exporters. A distributor in Dubai will buy your products, import them into the UAE, handle all customs paperwork and sell them to supermarkets, restaurants and wholesalers. You only need to focus on supplying the goods from Sri Lanka.

To find the right distributor, you can:

1. Contact import companies in Dubai that work with fruits and vegetables.
2. Connect with wholesale markets like Al Aweer Fruit and Vegetable Market.
3. Check major distribution companies that already import from countries like India, Pakistan, Philippines and Kenya.
4. Attend food exhibitions such as Gulfood in Dubai to meet buyers.

The benefit of working with a distributor is that you do not need to open a UAE company, and they will handle compliance, storage and delivery. Your payment terms depend on your agreement.

Option 2

Register a Company in the UAE and Import Under Your Own Name

If you want full control of your exports and higher profit margins, you can open your own company in the UAE. Many Sri Lankan exporters choose this path because they want to build a long term brand in Dubai.

When you have your own company in the UAE:

1. You can import king coconuts, pineapples and vegetables directly in your company name.
2. You can supply supermarkets, groceries, restaurants and hotels.
3. You can participate in tenders and long term supply contracts.
4. You build a brand that can grow into other GCC countries like Oman, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and Qatar.

You can open a business in a Free Zone or Dubai Mainland. Free Zone companies cannot directly import into the mainland market, so you will need a customs clearance agent. Mainland companies can import and distribute freely.

At CSPzone, we help many Sri Lankan and Indian exporters set up a low cost company so they can import under their own brand and supply the market without depending on a third party.

Option 3

Find an Importer in Dubai and Supply Them from Sri Lanka

An importer is slightly different from a distributor. A distributor buys and sells the products on their own. An importer may clear the goods but sell directly to supermarkets or wholesale markets depending on demand.

This method works well if:

1. You want a long term supply relationship.
2. You want someone in Dubai to handle customs and logistics only.
3. You want to keep the selling responsibility with your own network.

You can contact importers operating inside the Al Aweer Fruit and Vegetable Market. Many of them work with Sri Lankan produce already. If your quality and pricing are consistent, they will take regular shipments.

Importers also prefer products that are available all year or at least during a long season. King coconuts and pineapples from Sri Lanka have good demand because of their taste and freshness.

Extra Tips to Succeed in Dubai

To increase your chances of finding reliable buyers, keep these points in mind:

1. Always send clear product photos and packing details.
2. Make sure your Sri Lankan exporter registration and food safety certificates are updated.
3. Understand UAE food import regulations such as product labelling and origin details.
4. Start with small trial shipments to build trust.
5. Maintain stable pricing and consistent supply.

Buyers in Dubai value reliability more than anything. If you deliver on time and maintain quality, you will quickly create a strong position in the market.