Steel rebar is where the real money goes on a UAE construction project. On a typical 3-bedroom Dubai villa the structural steel bill runs AED 80,000-180,000 — often more than tiles, paint and finishing combined. And unlike cement or blocks where prices are relatively stable, UAE rebar prices move with global scrap markets, energy costs and exchange rates — sometimes shifting AED 100-200 per tonne within a single month.
This guide gives you real September 2026 UAE rebar prices from Emirates Steel and the open market, a bar-by-bar weight and cost reference, the critical UAE coastal environment specification you cannot ignore, and exactly how to buy steel in the UAE without overpaying at retail when mill pricing is available.
STEEL REBAR PRICE UAE — SEPTEMBER 2026 SNAPSHOT
Mill price
per tonne (25t+ order)
Retail price
per kg (small orders)
Emirates Steel
ex-works Feb 2026
Steel Rebar Price UAE 2026 — By Bar Size
| Bar Size | Weight per Metre | Weight per 12m Bar | Mill Price per Bar | Retail Price per Bar | Main UAE Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| T8 (8mm) | 0.395 kg/m | 4.74 kg | AED 12 – 14 | AED 14 – 18 | Stirrups, distribution bars, light RCC |
| T10 (10mm) | 0.617 kg/m | 7.40 kg | AED 19 – 22 | AED 22 – 28 | Stirrups, slab distribution, light columns |
| T12 (12mm) ← Most Used | 0.888 kg/m | 10.66 kg | AED 28 – 33 | AED 32 – 40 | Main slab bars, light columns, walls |
| T16 (16mm) | 1.578 kg/m | 18.94 kg | AED 49 – 58 | AED 57 – 72 | Columns, beams — standard UAE villa |
| T20 (20mm) | 2.466 kg/m | 29.59 kg | AED 77 – 90 | AED 89 – 112 | Heavy columns, transfer beams |
| T25 (25mm) | 3.854 kg/m | 46.25 kg | AED 120 – 141 | AED 139 – 175 | Foundation beams, heavy structures |
| T32 (32mm) | 6.313 kg/m | 75.76 kg | AED 197 – 231 | AED 228 – 287 | High-rise cores, heavy pile caps |
Mill price based on Emirates Steel ex-works AED 2,648/tonne + estimated September 2026 market adjustment. Retail prices from UAE open market traders. All prices exclude 5% VAT. 12m standard bar length.
Need Steel Rebar Pricing for Your UAE Project?
Tell us your bar sizes, quantities and delivery location. We will help you get the best UAE market price. Free — no obligation.
+971 58 651 9262
UAE Steel Suppliers — Emirates Steel vs Open Market
| Supplier Type | Price Range (per tonne) | Min Order | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🏆 Emirates Steel (mill direct) | AED 2,600 – 2,750 | 25+ tonnes | Large projects — villas, commercial, infrastructure |
| Dana Steel UAE (Dubai/Ajman) | AED 2,800 – 3,200 | No minimum | Small to mid projects — from 50 bars T12 |
| UAE Steel Trading Companies | AED 2,700 – 3,100 | 5–10 tonnes | Medium projects needing credit terms |
| Import (Chinese/Turkish rebar) | AED 2,400 – 2,700 | 20+ tonnes | Large projects — must verify ECAS certification |
| Retail Building Materials Store | AED 3,200 – 4,200 | None | Emergency small quantities only — expensive |
How Much Steel Does Your UAE Project Need?
| Project Type | Steel Required | Cost at AED 2,750/t | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| UAE Villa 3BR (G+1) | 30 – 45 tonnes | AED 82,500 – 123,750 | Grey structure including foundation |
| UAE Villa 4BR (G+1) | 40 – 65 tonnes | AED 110,000 – 178,750 | Grey structure including foundation |
| Dubai Apartment (100m²) | 8 – 15 tonnes | AED 22,000 – 41,250 | Structural reinforcement only |
| Boundary Wall per 100m | 2 – 4 tonnes | AED 5,500 – 11,000 | Columns + wall reinforcement |
| Commercial Warehouse 500m² | 25 – 45 tonnes | AED 68,750 – 123,750 | Slab + columns + foundation |
For exact rebar quantities by bar size, use our free Rebar Steel Weight Calculator, Stirrup Calculator and Rebar Spacing Calculator.
UAE Steel Grade — What to Specify
All structural steel rebar in the UAE must comply with ECAS (Emirates Conformity Assessment Scheme) — the federal mandate under the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology. There are two main grades in UAE use:
✅ Grade 500B — BS 4449:2005
Standard UAE Specification
- Yield strength: 500 MPa minimum
- High ductility class B
- Required for seismic design
- Emirates Steel, Dana Steel, all UAE mills
- Specified on virtually all UAE projects
- ECAS certified — required by Dubai Municipality
Grade 60 — ASTM A615
American Standard — Some UAE Projects
- Yield strength: 420 MPa (60,000 PSI)
- Used on US-consultant specified projects
- Less common than BS Grade 500B in UAE
- Imported — not local UAE production
- Verify ECAS compliance before use
- Always check consultant’s specification
UAE Coastal Environment — Epoxy Coated Rebar
This is one of the most important and most overlooked specifications in UAE coastal construction. The UAE’s marine environment — particularly in Dubai Marina, Palm Jumeirah, Abu Dhabi Corniche, Sharjah waterfront and any location within 500 metres of the sea — subjects concrete structures to aggressive chloride ion penetration from salt air and groundwater.
Chloride ions penetrate concrete and attack the passive oxide layer on standard black rebar — triggering rust expansion that cracks concrete from the inside. In severe UAE coastal exposure this process can begin within 10-15 years on inadequately specified structures.
The solution is Fusion Bonded Epoxy (FBE) coated rebar — ASTM A775 specification. The epoxy coating provides an impermeable barrier against chloride ion penetration, extending structural life by 2-3x in corrosive UAE coastal conditions. Cost premium is approximately 25-35% over standard black rebar — a worthwhile investment for any structure within the coastal exposure zone.
Steel Price by Emirate — UAE September 2026
| Emirate | Trade (AED/tonne) | Retail (AED/kg) | Key Supplier |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dubai | AED 2,700 – 2,950 | AED 3.00 – 3.80 | Dana Steel, Jebel Ali traders |
| Abu Dhabi | AED 2,648 – 2,850 | AED 2.90 – 3.60 | Emirates Steel direct — most competitive |
| Sharjah | AED 2,750 – 3,000 | AED 3.00 – 3.80 | Industrial area steel traders |
| Ajman / RAK | AED 2,700 – 2,900 | AED 2.90 – 3.60 | Dana Steel Ajman facility |
| Fujairah / UAQ | AED 2,800 – 3,100 | AED 3.10 – 3.90 | Limited local traders — import dependent |
Mill vs Retail — When Each Makes Sense
The single biggest mistake smaller UAE contractors make is buying rebar from retail building material stores at AED 3.50-4.00 per kg when mill or trader pricing is available at AED 2.65-2.90 per kg for the same mate
