Saudi Arabia’s Non-Oil Exports Rise 5.5% in August, Driven by Re-Exports

Saudi Arabia’s non-oil exports recorded a 5.5 percent annual increase in August 2025, reaching SR29.28 billion ($7.81 billion), according to data from the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT). The rise was largely fueled by a surge in re-exports, even as shipments of domestically produced goods declined.

The report showed that machinery, electrical equipment, and parts dominated the Kingdom’s non-oil export basket, accounting for 25.4 percent of total shipments. Exports in this category jumped 79.8 percent year on year. Chemical products ranked second with a 22.7 percent share, though exports in that segment slipped 7.4 percent from August 2024.

GASTAT noted that while total non-oil exports — including re-exports — increased by 5.5 percent, national non-oil exports excluding re-exports fell by 6.7 percent. Meanwhile, the value of re-exported goods rose sharply by 32.9 percent compared with the same month last year. On a monthly basis, non-oil exports were down 14 percent from July.

The UAE remained the top destination for Saudi non-oil goods, importing SR9.87 billion worth of products in August. India followed with SR3.70 billion, while China ranked third with SR1.96 billion. Other key markets included Kuwait (SR1.03 billion), Egypt (SR813 million), Turkiye (SR694 million), Jordan (SR670.8 million), and Singapore (SR592.5 million).

The continued expansion of non-oil exports aligns with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 strategy, which seeks to diversify the economy and reduce reliance on crude revenues. Supporting this trend, S&P Global reported that Saudi Arabia’s Purchasing Managers’ Index rose to 57.8 in August — its strongest reading since March — indicating robust private sector growth.

Saudi Arabia’s overall merchandise exports totaled SR99.09 billion in August, up 6.6 percent year on year, driven by a 7 percent rise in oil exports. As a result, oil’s share of total exports edged up to 70.5 percent from 70.2 percent a year earlier.

Asia remained the largest export market, accounting for SR72.43 billion, followed by Europe with SR12.54 billion, Africa with SR7.27 billion, and the Americas with SR6.75 billion. China led all destinations for total exports at SR16.02 billion, followed by the UAE (SR11.04 billion), India (SR9.15 billion), South Korea (SR8.54 billion), and Japan (SR6.71 billion).

On the import side, Saudi Arabia purchased SR74.85 billion worth of goods in August, marking a 7.4 percent annual increase. Machinery and electrical equipment topped the import list at SR22.30 billion, followed by transport parts (SR10.59 billion) and chemical products (SR6.61 billion).

GASTAT reported that sea routes accounted for the majority of imports at SR42.89 billion, with King Abdulaziz Sea Port in Dammam serving as the main entry point at SR19.14 billion.

The positive trade performance underscores Saudi Arabia’s progress toward economic diversification and export-led growth amid ongoing structural reforms.