Industry, Logistics & Shipping

Saudi Arabia non-oil exports soar 18.6% in Q4; trade surplus up 26.3%

RIYADH
Saudi Arabia non-oil exports soar 18.6% in Q4; trade surplus up 26.3%
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Saudi Arabia recorded an 18.6% increase in non-oil exports, including re-exports, in the fourth quarter of 2025 (Q4) compared to the fourth quarter of 2024. 

Total merchandise exports rose 7.9% during the quarter, with oil exports up 3.5%. The contribution of oil exports to total exports declined from 70.4% in the fourth quarter of 2024 to 67.5% in the same quarter of 2025, said the International Trade Bulletin from the General Authority for Statistics.

National non-oil exports edged down 1.5%, while re-exports jumped 67.4%.

Imports in the fourth quarter increased 4.7% year-on-year, while the trade surplus recorded a robust 26.3% growth compared to the corresponding period of the previous year.

December numbers

Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia recorded a 7.4% increase in non-oil exports, including re-exports, in December 2025 compared with the same month a year earlier.

Overall merchandise exports rose 3.0% in December 2025 compared to December 2024. Oil exports increased by 1.0%, although their share of total exports slipped from 68.7% in December 2024 to 67.4% in December 2025.

However, national non-oil exports declined by 8.5% year-on-year, while re-exported goods surged 43.1% over the same period.

Imports grew 2.4% year-on-year in December, while the trade surplus expanded 7.1% compared to the same month last year.

Key trading partners

Japan ranked as the top destination for Saudi merchandise exports in December, accounting for 11.7% of total exports. Meanwhile, China was the leading source of imports, representing 28.7% of total inbound shipments.

For the fourth quarter as a whole, China emerged as the Kingdom’s largest export destination, accounting for 13.1% of total exports, and retained its position as the top supplier of imports at 27.2%.