Dry red chilli importers in Dubai: who they are and how to sell to them

Key takeaways

• Some importers buy for other markets. Dubai has a separate release route for re-exports, so ask where the chilli ends up [5].
• The UAE is a big, steady buyer. It took 62,205 tonnes of Indian chilli in 2025-26 [1].
• Aflatoxin is the test to plan for. Spices Board's list sets 30 ppb total for whole chilli to countries without their own row [2].
• Importers buy on numbers: heat, colour, stem and moisture.

How big is the market?

The UAE ranks third for Indian chilli by volume, behind China and Bangladesh. Exports there rose from 52,290 tonnes in 2023-24 to 62,205 tonnes in 2025-26 [1]. The figures cover all chilli products and the whole UAE, so they don't separate whole chilli or Dubai.

Our guide to red chilli powder buyers in the UAE has the full table. This guide covers what changes when you sell whole dry chilli.

Who imports dry chilli in Dubai?

Re-export is common enough to plan for. Dubai Municipality runs a separate release service for food consignments going for re-export [5]. If the chilli is going on to the EU or UK, for example, the limit there is aflatoxin B1 at 5 ppb and total aflatoxins at 10 ppb [2].

Which test applies?

The UAE has no separate row in Spices Board's 2023 list. The row for all other countries sets total aflatoxins at 30 ppb for whole chilli [2]. Ask your Spices Board office how it applies to your lot, and get the buyer's limits in writing, because they can be tighter.

Storage matters as much as the test. FSSAI allows a maximum of 11.0% moisture in whole chilli [3], and damp chilli is where mould grows. Spices Board's guidelines also say dried chillies must not be sprayed with water to prevent breakage during packing [4].

What do importers ask about?

Have these figures ready for each lot:

• Variety, as the buyer knows it;
• heat in SHU, and colour in ASTA, each with the method;
• stem-on or stemless;
• moisture, and broken pods and loose seeds;
• packing, such as woven bags or pressed bales, with net weight;
• a recent aflatoxin report for the lot.

Our dry red chilli specification guide lists every FSSAI limit and gives a sheet format. The HS line is 0904 21 10 [2].

How do you find and check them?

Use routes where you can check who you're talking to. Meet buyers at Gulfood, ask current buyers who else they know, and use trade data only as leads. Then check each company's licence and email domain before you send a sample. Our UAE buyers guide shows the official licence check.

What should your first message say?

Subject: Dry red chilli, [variety], [stem / stemless]: lot details attached

Dear [Name],

We export whole dry red chilli from India. Our spec sheet and a recent lot report are attached, with heat, colour, moisture and aflatoxin results.

Which variety and grade do you buy, and is it for the UAE market or for re-export?

Regards,
[Your name], [Role], [Company]

Only write what is true of your company. When they reply, send a quotation they can compare.

Next step. A Dubai importer will look you up before replying. Our free Buyer Check is a 1-page report on your Google listing, website and spec gaps, with the 3 fixes that matter most, within 24 hours.