Italian jewellery exports to UAE surpass €1.3 billion ahead of Sharjah exhibition
Strong growth reflects rising demand for premium Italian craftsmanship in Gulf markets
SHARJAH – The Italian Trade Agency (ITA) is set to return to the 57th Watch & Jewellery Middle East Show at Expo Centre Sharjah, scheduled from 10 to 14 June 2026, with a prominent national pavilion featuring 34 Italian jewellery companies.
The participation underscores Italy’s strong position in the UAE’s luxury jewellery market, supported by export performance that reached €1.3 billion in the January-December 2025 period, marking a 12.6% increase year-on-year.
Early 2026 data shows continued resilience, with €194 million in exports recorded in January-February and Italy’s market share rising to 8% from 5.48% a year earlier. The figures reflect sustained demand for Italian design, craftsmanship, and high-end gold jewellery across the region.
Italian jewellery exports to UAE
Italian jewellery exports to the UAE have demonstrated notable momentum despite fluctuations in global gold prices, which have influenced declared trade values across international markets. The €1.3 billion recorded in 2025 represents an increase of €153 million compared to the previous year, driven in part by strong underlying demand for premium gold jewellery and diamond-set pieces.
Even as global commodity price adjustments impacted valuation levels in early 2026, Italy maintained an upward trajectory in market share, reaching 8% of total UAE jewellery imports in January-February 2026. This rise from 5.48% in the same period of 2025 highlights Italy’s strengthening competitive position in a highly contested luxury segment, where buyers continue to prioritise design integrity and provenance.
Sharjah exhibition
The Watch & Jewellery Middle East Show remains one of the region’s most established trade exhibitions, attracting manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers, and industry professionals from across global markets. For Italian exhibitors, the Sharjah platform provides direct access to a sophisticated buyer base with strong demand for alta gioielleria, precision diamond jewellery, and finely crafted 18-carat and 22-carat gold pieces. The 34-company Italian pavilion will represent leading expressions of the country’s oreficeria and gioielleria traditions, spanning artisan silverwork and contemporary luxury design.
“Italy and the UAE share a deep appreciation for beauty and elegance,” said Lorenzo Fanara, Ambassador of Italy to the United Arab Emirates. “These values find a natural expression in Italian jewellery, where exceptional craftsmanship meets creativity, cultural heritage, and an unwavering attention to detail.”
Valerio Soldani, Trade Commissioner of Italy to the UAE, noted that Italy’s 8% market share reflects the “resilience and global prestige” of Italian manufacturing, adding that UAE buyers continue to choose Made-in-Italy jewellery for its craftsmanship, authenticity, and design leadership.
Italy’s jewellery export strength is anchored in its historic goldsmithing districts, including Valenza, Florence, and Naples, which collectively represent a wide spectrum of production capabilities from traditional artisan work to contemporary luxury collections.