UAE Tariffs on Canadian Pulses Set to Fall
Canadian pulse exporters shipping lentils and chickpeas to the UAE will see the five per cent tariff removed once the deal is implemented.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in International Trade
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Canada and the United Arab Emirates signed the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement on November 3, 2026, which will reduce or eliminate tariffs on over 99 per cent of current Canadian exports to the UAE. Pulse exporters and other Canadian agricultural shippers to the Gulf market are among those affected.
Why it matters
Canada-UAE merchandise trade was valued at $3.5 billion in 2025, and the UAE currently applies a five per cent tariff on several dried pulses that Canadian exporters ship in volume. Removing those duties changes landed costs for importers and gives Canadian growers a clearer price path into the Gulf market.
Canada-UAE merchandise trade was valued at $3.5 billion in 2025, and Canadian pulse shipments to the UAE totaled $268.6 million that year, with lentils making up $225.7 million. The agreement covers tariff reductions on over 99 per cent of current Canadian exports to the UAE, though the implementation date has not been announced.
The players
Pulse Canada
Pulse Canada is the national industry association representing Canadian growers and exporters of pulse crops such as lentils, peas, and chickpeas.
Shane Strydhorst
Shane Strydhorst is chair of Pulse Canada, the industry body that advocates for Canadian pulse growers and exporters in trade matters.
Greg Cherewyk
Greg Cherewyk is president of Pulse Canada, overseeing the association's work on export market access for Canadian pulse producers.
The details
Under the agreement, tariffs on lentils, peas, chickpeas, faba beans and kidney beans will be eliminated once the deal is implemented, removing the five per cent duty the UAE currently applies to those products. Tariffs on other beans and other dried pulses will be phased out over a longer schedule. The agreement is intended to help Canadian growers and exporters expand their presence in the UAE market.
Timeline
2025: Canada-UAE trade reached $3.5 billion and Canadian pulse shipments to the UAE totaled $268.6 million.
- 2026-11-03
Canada and the UAE signed the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement.
Market Landscape
The UAE is an established and important customer for Canadian pulse crops, with 2025 shipments already at $268.6 million. The agreement sets out a tariff schedule that will reshape competitive conditions for pulse exporters in that market.
Exporters of lentils, peas, chickpeas, faba beans and kidney beans to the UAE should model the removal of the five per cent tariff into pricing once implementation is confirmed. Pulse exporters should also track the phase-out schedule for other beans and dried pulses, since that timeline determines when their full product range becomes cost-competitive in the market.
The takeaway
For exporters, the operating signal is the implementation date, which is not yet set, so the tariff savings cannot be built into contracts until it is confirmed. Consult a qualified trade adviser or customs broker on how the agreement's rules of origin and phase-out schedule apply to your specific products before adjusting export pricing.
Further reading
For broader context on how bilateral deals like this shape cross-border commerce, see the International Trade section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Top Crop Manager.
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