In recent years, the charcoal export to Dubai has gained momentum, driven by the growing popularity of BBQ in Dubai, demand for eco-friendly fuel options, and the UAE’s position as a major re-export hub in the Gulf. Among the top suppliers, Vietnam has emerged as a key player in the charcoal UAE market, offering premium products like coconut charcoal briquettes, hardwood lump charcoal, and sawdust briquettes.

With its rich natural resources and competitive production costs, Vietnam is increasingly recognized by charcoal companies in UAE and foodservice businesses for its quality, consistency, and pricing. As the UAE continues to diversify its fuel sources and elevate BBQ culture, importing from Vietnam presents a strategic opportunity for buyers in Dubai and beyond.

Overview of Dubai’s Charcoal Demand and Import Market

The United Arab Emirates (UAE), especially Dubai, has become a fast-growing market for charcoal, driven by the region’s rich BBQ culture and increasing preference for eco-friendly, high-performance fuels. Whether for restaurant use, household grilling, or shisha lounges, the demand for imported charcoal has risen sharply.

Due to environmental limitations and low domestic production, charcoal UAE demand is almost entirely met through imports. This has positioned charcoal export to Dubai and the broader UAE market as a highly attractive opportunity for global suppliers.

Vietnam’s Charcoal Export Volume to the Gulf: A Strong Showing in Saudi Arabia

While Dubai plays a central commercial role in the UAE, Saudi Arabia stands out as the largest charcoal import market in the region—and Vietnam is making significant inroads there.

In 2023, Vietnam exported approximately 14.3 million USD worth of charcoal to Saudi Arabia, making it the third-largest supplier to the Kingdom after Indonesia (80.5 million USD) and China (17.6 million USD). This means Vietnam accounted for about 10% of Saudi Arabia’s total charcoal imports, which reached around 142 million USD.

More importantly, from Vietnam’s perspective, Saudi Arabia was its top charcoal export destination in 2023, representing 18.9% of Vietnam’s total charcoal exports (14.3M out of 75.6M USD).

These figures underline Vietnam’s rising importance in the charcoal export business to the Middle East, especially in Gulf countries like Saudi Arabia and the UAE, which share similar market needs.

As Dubai continues to grow as a major port and logistics hub in the Gulf, many Vietnamese charcoal containers headed for the Saudi market are shipped via UAE ports like Jebel Ali—demonstrating the UAE’s strategic role in both direct import and regional redistribution of Vietnam charcoal.

Why the UAE Prefers Vietnam Charcoal: Key Market Drivers

The UAE’s growing preference for Vietnam charcoal is not coincidental—it reflects a combination of supply chain strategy, product performance, and market adaptation. Several key factors explain why importers in Dubai and the broader UAE market are turning to Vietnam for charcoal supply:

Reliable Quality and Variety

Vietnam offers a diverse range of charcoal types that suit different usage scenarios—from outdoor grilling to shisha lounges and industrial kitchens. Whether it’s coconut charcoal briquettes for clean indoor use or black hardwood charcoal for high-heat BBQs, the product lineup is broad and adaptable.

Competitive Pricing

Vietnam’s ability to offer quality at lower prices compared to European or Middle Eastern producers gives it an edge in price-sensitive markets like the UAE. The charcoal price in UAE from Vietnamese suppliers often undercuts competitors without sacrificing performance.

Fast and Efficient Shipping

With well-developed port infrastructure in Hai Phong, Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnamese exporters can ship to Jebel Ali Port—Dubai’s primary cargo hub—within 10 to 14 days. This ensures a fast turnaround, supporting just-in-time inventory strategies for charcoal companies in UAE.

Sustainability Focus

Vietnam is actively transitioning toward sustainable charcoal production. Products like coconut shell charcoal and sawdust briquettes not only burn cleanly but also align with Dubai’s increasing focus on environmentally responsible sourcing—especially in the hotel, restaurant, and café sectors.

Most Popular Vietnam Charcoal Types Exported to Dubai

Vietnam offers a rich variety of charcoal types to match the diverse requirements of the charcoal UAE market. The following are the most commonly exported Vietnam charcoal types to Dubai:

Mangrove Charcoal

Known for its long burn time and steady heat output, mangrove charcoal is one of the top choices for BBQ restaurants in Dubai. Its dense structure ensures minimal ash and consistent performance, making it ideal for professional grilling environments where heat control is critical.

• Long-lasting burn, ideal for open-flame cooking
• Low smoke and sparks
• Suitable for both commercial and catering BBQ operations

Coffee Charcoal

Produced from pruned coffee tree branches, coffee charcoal is a premium option with high heat intensity and a pleasant aroma. It’s favored by boutique restaurants and specialty cafes in the UAE for its unique properties.

• High calorific value
• Long burn duration
• Distinct fragrance that enhances food flavor
• Clean-burning with minimal smoke

Sawdust Briquette Charcoal

This compressed charcoal type is popular among large-scale users such as hotels and BBQ chains. Its uniform size, packaging, and heat consistency make it easy to handle and efficient for daily use.

• Consistent shape and packaging
• Clean burn, low ash
• Convenient for restaurant kitchens and foodservice providers

Coconut Charcoal

Sourced from coconut shells, coconut charcoal is both sustainable and clean-burning. 

• Low ash content
• No smoke or sparks
• Long heat retention
• Widely used in both BBQ and shisha

Kaya Charcoal

Though less common, Kaya charcoal is gaining popularity in Dubai for its extremely dense structure and extended burn time. It’s especially suited for professional chefs and long-session grilling.

• Dense and slow-burning
• Minimal smoke
• Premium product for high-heat cooking
• Often used in Japanese or Korean BBQ settings

These five charcoal types form the core of Vietnam’s charcoal export to Dubai, enabling importers to serve a broad range of customers with specific fuel preferences.

How to Start Charcoal Export to Dubai from Vietnam

To effectively export charcoal to the UAE, Vietnamese businesses and foreign buyers should follow these steps:

• Step 1: Identify Reputable Suppliers

Look for exporters with experience in UAE trade, such as PNP Charcoal, with clear product specifications and export certifications (SGS, ISO, phytosanitary certificates).

• Step 2: Check Compliance Requirements

Dubai requires:

• Phytosanitary certificate
• Fumigation certificate
• Certificate of Origin (for tariff preferences)
• Ensure your supplier supports these procedures.
• Step 3: Negotiate Pricing and Logistics

Common trade terms include FOB or CIF. Buyers often request 20ft or 40ft container shipments with packaging in PP bags, cartons, or custom branding.

• Step 4: Arrange Shipping

Shipping time from Vietnam to Dubai is approximately 10–14 days by sea. Suppliers with flexible logistics support, like palletizing and mixed product containers, are preferred by UAE importers.

• Step 5: Build Long-Term Partnerships

For sustainable success in the charcoal export business, relationships matter. Partner with reliable Vietnamese suppliers that offer quality consistency, responsive service, and custom packaging for your brand.

Learn more about how to export charcoal to Dubai in the following article: Charcoal export to Dubai: A comprehensive guide for global suppliers 

PNP Charcoal – Trusted Partner for Charcoal UAE Market

PNP Charcoal is one of Vietnam’s leading charcoal exporters with a growing presence in the Middle East. We provide a wide range of charcoal products tailored for BBQ in Dubai, restaurants, and shisha lounges. With a strong production base and logistics support, PNP Charcoal can deliver bulk orders directly to Jebel Ali Port. We focus on helping importers meet both commercial and regulatory expectations in the UAE.

Visit pnpcharcoal to explore our products or request a custom quote for your charcoal export to Dubai needs.

Conclusion

As the UAE continues to grow as a hub for grilling, outdoor entertainment, and eco-conscious living, the charcoal export to Dubai remains a dynamic and promising opportunity for Vietnamese suppliers. With premium products like coconut charcoal briquettes, competitive pricing, and proven export capacity, Vietnam is set to remain a preferred source for charcoal UAE demand.

For importers, now is the time to partner with trusted charcoal exporters from Vietnam who understand the market and offer quality, consistency, and flexibility. Whether you’re launching a new product line or scaling an existing operation, Vietnamese charcoal export business provides the tools you need to succeed in Dubai’s evolving fuel sector.

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