India-UAE FTA 2022 — ZERO Import Duty

Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement — in effect from May 2022

Premium Makhana Wholesale
Supplier for UAE & Dubai

Name: Wholesale Makhana / Foxnuts for UAE and Dubai
Brand: Makhanabazar
Availability: InStock

GI-certified Mithila Makhana — zero import duty into the UAE under the India-UAE CEPA. Halal product. CIF pricing to Jebel Ali Port (Dubai). Supply for UAE distributors, hypermarkets, re-exporters to the wider GCC region.

Request UAE Wholesale Quote Calculate CIF to Dubai

India-UAE FTA Advantage

0% Import Duty on makhana / foxnuts under the CEPA agreement — saves you 5—10% vs. non-FTA countries

APEDA Certificate of Origin provided on all UAE shipments to claim FTA duty exemption at Jebel Ali customs

18—22 day transit from Indian port to Dubai (Jebel Ali). Regular sailings from JNPT (Mumbai) and Mundra

Re-export to GCC — Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain via UAE hub with no additional tariff disadvantage

GCC Regional Coverage

UAE as Your Makhana
Gateway to the Gulf

Many of our UAE buyers use Dubai as a re-export hub to supply the wider GCC — the world's fastest-growing market for Indian health foods.

UAE

United Arab Emirates

Dubai & Abu Dhabi. Primary import point. Zero duty under FTA. Jebel Ali Port — largest port in the region. 18—22 day transit.

Saudi Arabia

Riyadh & Jeddah. Largest GCC market. Strong demand in Indian and South Asian expat communities. Re-export from UAE or direct supply.

Qatar

Doha. Post-World Cup boom in premium food imports continues. Indian food retail growing rapidly. Re-export from Dubai available.

Kuwait

Growing South Asian diaspora food market. Premium makhana for Indian grocery chains and health food outlets in Kuwait City.

Bahrain

Small but premium market. Bahrain Food Festival drives seasonal demand for Indian health snacks including makhana.

Oman

Muscat. Direct shipping from India or re-export from Dubai. Growing demand in health-conscious Omani consumer segment.

Halal Compliance

Naturally Halal.
100% Plant-Based.

Makhana (foxnut / lotus seeds) is a 100% plant-based, naturally halal agricultural product. As a seed of the Euryale Ferox plant, it contains no animal derivatives, no alcohol, and no non-halal additives in its natural form.

For UAE buyers requiring formal halal documentation — particularly for hypermarket or food service supply — we can arrange halal certification through approved certifying bodies on request.

100% plant-based — seed of the Euryale Ferox (lotus plant)
No animal-derived ingredients or processing aids
No alcohol used in processing or packaging
Flavoured variants use halal-certified flavour compounds
Formal halal certificate available on request for retail channels
Compatible with Muslim dietary requirements globally

UAE Market at a Glance

Import duty under India-UAE FTA (vs. 5% MFN rate previously)

18—22

Days average transit from India to Jebel Ali Port, Dubai

GCC markets accessible via Dubai re-export hub

3.5M

Indian expats in UAE — core makhana consumer base

What We Supply

Makhana Grades & Products
for UAE Wholesale Buyers

From raw export-grade foxnuts to retail-ready roasted and flavoured lines — choose the format that fits your UAE distribution channel.

Plain / Raw Makhana

Export-grade, sorted and graded foxnuts ready for repacking or further roasting — the base product for most UAE distributors.

Bulk 25kg / 50kg

Roasted cheese flavoured makhana for UAE retail

Roasted Makhana

Low-oil roasted foxnuts with crisp bite and controlled salt — a ready-to-shelf healthy snack for UAE retail.

Retail & Bulk

Flavoured Makhana

Peri peri, cheese, pudina, tomato, caramel and custom blends adapted to Gulf taste preferences.

Custom Flavours

Jumbo Premium Grade

Large calibrated foxnuts for premium pouches, gifting and luxury retail positioning in Dubai & Abu Dhabi.

Premium

Organic-Positioned

Organic-sourced batches for wellness and natural-food brands serving health-conscious UAE consumers.

Wellness

Makhana Flour

Ingredient-grade makhana powder for bakeries, infant food and functional food manufacturers in the UAE.

Ingredient

Market Opportunity

Why Makhana (Phool Makhana) is the Ideal
Healthy Snack for the UAE Market

The demand for healthy and natural snacks is booming in the UAE. Makhana is perfectly positioned to meet this demand.

Healthy & Nutritious: Low in calories, high in protein and fiber, making it a perfect guilt-free snack.
Ideal for Ramadan: A light and nutritious snack to have during Iftar or Suhoor.
Appeals to the Diaspora: A popular and nostalgic snack for the large South Asian population in the UAE.
Versatile Snack: Can be enjoyed plain, roasted with spices, or used in a variety of dishes.
Naturally Halal: A 100% plant-based product that aligns with Islamic dietary principles.

Tap into a Growing Market

The health and wellness food market in the UAE is projected to grow significantly. Makhana offers a unique opportunity for distributors and retailers to capitalize on this trend with a product that is both healthy and in high demand.

What Our UAE & GCC Clients Say

Trusted by Businesses Across the Gulf

UAE

Ahmed Al-Mansoori, CEO - Dubai Healthy Foods

"Makhanabazar is our trusted partner for makhana in the UAE. Their product quality is excellent, and the zero import duty under the FTA gives us a significant cost advantage. Highly recommended for any food distributor in the GCC."

Fatima Khan, Buyer - Riyadh Premium Snacks, Saudi Arabia

"We have been importing makhana from Makhanabazar for our stores in Saudi Arabia, and our customers love it. The product is always fresh, and the team is very professional and helpful."

Yusuf Ahmed, Manager - Qatar Nutrition Center

"Finding a reliable supplier of high-quality, halal makhana was a challenge until we found Makhanabazar. They have been a great partner for our business in Qatar."

UAE Buyer FAQ

Common Questions from
UAE & Dubai Importers

What is the MOQ for UAE wholesale makhana orders?

Our standard wholesale MOQ is 50kg, with flexible trial quantities for new UAE distributors. Mixed grades and SKUs can be combined to reach container loads.

Do you ship directly to Jebel Ali Port, Dubai?

Yes. We arrange CIF shipments to Jebel Ali Port (Dubai) from JNPT (Mumbai) or Mundra, with transit of approximately 18-22 days. We can also deliver to Abu Dhabi and Sharjah.

How does the India-UAE FTA reduce my cost?

Under the CEPA agreement, makhana carries 0% import duty into the UAE versus the previous ~5% MFN rate. We provide the APEDA Certificate of Origin so you can claim the exemption at customs.

Can you provide halal certification?

Makhana is naturally 100% plant-based and halal. For hypermarket and food-service buyers we can arrange formal halal certification through approved certifying bodies on request.

What documents are included with the shipment?

Each UAE shipment includes commercial invoice, packing list, APEDA certificate of origin, batch details, shelf-life declaration and any buyer-requested export documents.

Do you support private label for UAE brands?

Yes. We run a full private label and OEM program — retail pouch, carton, multilingual Arabic-English labelling and custom flavours for UAE supermarket and distributor brands. See our UAE private label page.

Is there zero import duty on makhana to the UAE?

Yes. Under the India-UAE CEPA, Indian makhana qualifies for 0% customs duty on 80%+ of tariff lines when shipped with a valid Certificate of Origin. This gives UAE importers a strong landed-cost advantage.

Do you provide halal certification for UAE imports?

Yes. We supply halal-certified, GI-tagged makhana and coordinate the documentation required under UAE Food Code 2.0 for importers and private label brands.

Premium Makhana Wholesale
Supplier for UAE & Dubai

India—UAE CEPA: Your Competitive Advantage

UAE as Your Makhana
Gateway to the Gulf

Naturally Halal.
100% Plant-Based.