Saudi Trade Surplus Climbs 16-Month High to $7Bn in September: GASTAT

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s merchandise trade surplus rose to SR26 billion ($6.93 billion) in September, the highest in 16 months, driven by a 21.7 percent surge in non-oil exports. 

The latest data from the General Authority for Statistics shows the Kingdom’s trade surplus increased 66.3 percent from a year earlier, reflecting strengthening non-oil activity aligned with Vision 2030 diversification objectives. 

In its latest report, GASTAT stated: “The ratio of non-oil exports (including re-exports) to imports increased to 42.5 percent in September 2025 from 35.9 percent in September 2024. This was due to a 21.7 percent increase in non-oil exports and a 2.8 percent increase in imports during the same period.”   

The UAE was the top destination for Saudi Arabia’s non-oil goods, receiving shipments valued at SR9.71 billion. Other major destinations included India and China, which received non-energy products amounting to SR3.44 billion and SR2.90 billion, respectively. 

In September, Egypt received non-oil goods worth SR963.6 million, followed by Turkiye at SR904.4 million, the US at SR788.3 million, and Kuwait at SR706.3 million. 

According to GASTAT, machinery and electrical equipment accounted for 25.7 percent of total non-oil exports in September, marking a 102.6 percent year-on-year rise. 

Chemical products represented 22 percent of non-oil exports, with a 2.9 percent increase compared to September 2024. 

In a broader economic context, GASTAT reported in October that Saudi Arabia’s gross domestic product grew by 5 percent in the third quarter, driven by a 4.5 percent expansion in non-oil output. 

Supporting the momentum in the non-oil sector, Saudi Arabia’s Purchasing Managers’ Index climbed to 60.2, its second-highest level in more than a decade, signaling strong business activity. 

The robust performance underscores progress under the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 strategy, which aims to diversify the economy and reduce reliance on crude revenues. 

Merchandise exports 

Saudi Arabia’s merchandise exports stood at SR101.39 billion in September, a 14 percent increase compared to the same month last year, driven primarily by a 10.7 percent rise in oil exports. 

“Consequently, the percentage of oil exports out of total exports decreased from 70.4 percent in September 2024 to 68.4 percent in September 2025,” said GASTAT.  

In September, exports to China accounted for 14.4 percent of total outbound shipments, making it the Kingdom’s largest export destination. 

The UAE and India followed, receiving 10.7 percent and 10 percent of total shipments, respectively. 

South Korea, Japan, Poland, the US, Bahrain, Malta, and Egypt ranked among the other top 10 destinations. 

Imports in September

Saudi Arabia’s imports rose 2.8 percent year on year in September to reach SR75.39 billion. 

China was the leading source of imports at SR21.23 billion, followed by the US at SR6.76 billion, the UAE at SR4.28 billion, and India at SR3.49 billion. 

Germany, Japan, Italy, France, Vietnam, and Egypt were also among the top sources of inbound shipments. 

King Abdulaziz Sea Port in Dammam was the most important entry point, accounting for 25.9 percent of imports. 

Jeddah Islamic Sea Port and King Khalid International Airport followed, handling 21.4 percent and 14.6 percent of inbound goods, respectively. 

International trade in Q3 

Saudi Arabia’s non-oil exports reached SR95.48 billion ($25.46 billion) in the third quarter of 2025, representing a 19.4 percent rise compared to the same period in 2024, reinforcing efforts to diversify the economy. 

GASTAT reported that national non-oil exports, excluding re-exports, fell slightly by 0.4 percent year on year, while the value of re-exported goods rose 69.6 percent. 

In the third quarter, the UAE was the top destination for Saudi non-oil goods, receiving SR29.56 billion worth of products. 

India and China followed, with SR10.65 billion and SR7.12 billion in non-oil shipments, respectively. 

“The ratio of non-oil exports (including re-exports) to imports increased to 40.3 percent in the third quarter of 2025 from 36.3 percent in the third quarter of 2024. This was due to a 19.4 percent increase in non-oil exports and a 7.5 percent increase in imports during the same period,” said GASTAT in the report. 

Saudi Arabia sent non-oil goods valued at SR3.55 billion to Turkiye, SR2.76 billion to Egypt, SR2.45 billion to Kuwait, and SR2.07 billion to Belgium in the third quarter. 

Jordan received SR2.03 billion in non-energy products, while the UK and the US imported SR1.91 billion and SR1.88 billion, respectively. 

Machinery and electrical equipment dominated non-oil exports in the third quarter, accounting for 26.9 percent of shipments, up 120.4 percent from a year earlier. 

Chemical products followed, representing 21.4 percent of non-oil exports. 

Saudi Arabia’s overall merchandise exports reached SR303.29 billion in the third quarter, up 9.5 percent from a year earlier, driven by a 5.5 percent increase in oil exports. 

China received SR45.18 billion in exports, followed by the UAE at SR32.74 billion, India at SR28.95 billion, and the US at SR11.78 billion. 

GASTAT said imports reached SR237.16 billion in the third quarter, up 7.5 percent, while the trade surplus rose 17.2 percent over the same period. 

China was the top source of imports at SR65.47 billion, followed by the US at SR19.20 billion, the UAE at SR13.30 billion, and Germany at SR10.82 billion. 

India, Japan, Italy, France, Egypt, and Switzerland rounded out the top 10.