Saudi Arabia’s Non-Oil Exports Surge 18.9% as Re-Exports Drive Trade Expansion in 2025

Saudi Arabia’s non-oil export sector recorded strong growth in 2025, rising 18.9 percent year on year, supported by a significant jump in re-export activity that helped offset a slight decline in domestic non-oil shipments, according to official data.

Figures released by the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) showed that total non-oil exports, including re-exports, reached SR366.08 billion ($97.04 billion) during the year. While exports excluding re-exports edged down by 0.1 percent, re-exported goods surged 64.4 percent, underscoring the growing importance of logistics and trade facilitation in the Kingdom’s economy.

The expansion in non-oil exports improved Saudi Arabia’s trade balance, with the ratio of non-oil exports to imports rising to 38.5 percent in 2025 from 35.3 percent in the previous year. Imports also climbed 8.8 percent over the same period, reaching SR949.82 billion.

The latest data reflects the Kingdom’s broader push under Vision 2030 to diversify its economy away from crude oil dependence and strengthen its position as a regional hub for trade and re-export activities. Officials said the gains highlight the increasing role of logistics networks, ports, and airports in supporting economic transformation.

Among export categories, chemical products remained the largest contributor, accounting for 22.5 percent of total non-oil exports and posting a 4.7 percent annual increase. Machinery, electrical equipment, and related parts followed closely, representing 22.4 percent of non-oil exports and recording a sharp 91.8 percent rise.

Overall merchandise exports grew by 2.1 percent to SR1.16 trillion, even as oil exports fell by 4 percent. As a result, oil’s share of total exports declined to 68.7 percent in 2025, down from 73.1 percent a year earlier, indicating a gradual shift in the structure of external trade.

China remained Saudi Arabia’s largest trading partner, receiving 14.6 percent of total merchandise exports. The United Arab Emirates followed with 10 percent, while India accounted for 9.4 percent. South Korea, Japan, the United States, Egypt, Bahrain, Poland, and Malta were also among the leading export destinations.

On the import side, China was the dominant source, supplying 27.5 percent of total imports. The United States ranked second at 8.2 percent, followed by the UAE at 5.7 percent. Imports from India, Germany, Japan, Italy, France, Switzerland, and Egypt collectively made up 65.9 percent of the Kingdom’s total import bill.

Trade entry points also highlighted the importance of Saudi Arabia’s logistics infrastructure. King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam handled 26.6 percent of imports, followed by Jeddah Islamic Seaport at 22.1 percent and King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh at 13.8 percent. On the export side, King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah led non-oil shipments with 14.2 percent, ahead of Jeddah Islamic Port and Jubail’s King Fahad Industrial Seaport.

The data points to a steadily evolving trade landscape, where non-oil sectors and re-export activity are playing an increasingly central role in shaping Saudi Arabia’s external economy.