Saudi Non-Oil Exports Rise 32.3% in October, Driving Trade Surplus

Growth in Non-Oil Exports

Saudi Arabia’s non-oil exports, including re-exports, experienced a remarkable surge of 32.3% year-on-year in October 2025. This increase, reported by the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT), signals sustained momentum in the Kingdom’s efforts to diversify its trade dynamics and reduce dependency on oil revenues.

Year-on-Year Trade Performance

In comparison to October 2024, national non-oil exports rose by 2.4%. Total merchandise exports saw an increase of 11.8%, contributing to a substantial 47.4% expansion in the trade surplus for the month. This robust growth indicates a strengthening economic climate, helping to enhance the Kingdom’s broader fiscal health.

Import Dynamics

The upward trend was mirrored in the import sector, which rose by 4.3% in October 2025. Consequently, the ratio of non-oil exports to imports improved significantly, reaching 42.3%, compared to 33.4% in the same month last year. This trend reflects a stronger export performance in relation to imports, reinforcing the effectiveness of Saudi Arabia’s trade strategies.

Non-Oil Exports Driving Trade Balance

Electrical machinery, equipment, and parts emerged as the leading category within non-oil exports, constituting 23.6% of the total. Following closely, products from the chemical industry accounted for 19.4%. On the import side, electrical machinery and equipment ranked first, boasting a 30.2% share and exhibiting a 26.3% increase compared to October 2024. Despite this, transport equipment and parts saw a decline of 22.9% year-on-year, making up 12.1% of total imports.

Key Trading Partners

China continues to be Saudi Arabia’s largest trading partner, representing 14.1% of total exports and 24.8% of total imports. The overall trade landscape is dominated by Saudi Arabia’s top ten trading partners, accounting for 70.4% of exports and 67.7% of imports. This highlights the country’s reliance on a concentrated group of economies for its trade activities.

Port Activity and Trade Facilitation

King Abdulaziz Port played a critical role in these trade flows, handling the largest share of imports at 25.7% in October. This significant percentage emphasizes the port’s continued strategic importance in facilitating the Kingdom’s trade operations. As one of the main entry points for goods, its performance is indicative of overall trade health and operational efficiency.

Published on 1766796074 • Category: Politics & Economics, General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT), Saudi Arabia, Saudi economy