UAE Tops Saudi Arabia’s Non-Oil Export Destinations in Q1 2025, Trade Soars 34%

The United Arab Emirates emerged as Saudi Arabia’s top non-oil export destination in the first quarter of 2025, with trade surging nearly 34% year-on-year to SR21.32 billion ($5.68 billion), according to new data released by the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT).

The robust growth highlights Saudi Arabia’s ongoing efforts to diversify its economy under Vision 2030, which aims to reduce dependence on oil revenues. Machinery and mechanical appliances led exports to the UAE, totaling SR10.19 billion, followed by transport equipment (SR5.16 billion) and chemical products (SR1.11 billion). Other major exports included plastic goods (SR942 million), precious stones (SR860.8 million), and base metals (SR848.4 million).

The data also showed a 9.27% increase in exports to the UAE compared to the previous quarter, further cementing the Gulf state’s role as a key trading partner in the Kingdom’s diversification strategy. Saudi Minister of Economy and Planning Faisal Alibrahim recently noted that non-oil activities now contribute 53.2% to the Kingdom’s GDP.

China ranked second, receiving SR6.51 billion in non-oil exports, led by plastics and chemicals. India followed closely with SR5.75 billion, while other major destinations included Turkiye (SR2.96 billion), Egypt (SR2.56 billion), and the US (SR2.48 billion).

Total non-oil exports rose 13.4% annually to SR80.72 billion. Key ports handling outbound shipments included King Fahad Industrial Sea Port in Jubail (SR9.93 billion) and Jeddah Islamic Sea Port (SR9.76 billion). Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport led air exports at SR8.52 billion.

Despite the growth in non-oil sectors, overall merchandise exports fell 3.2% to SR285.78 billion, largely due to an 8.4% drop in oil exports. Oil’s share of total exports declined from 75.9% in Q1 2024 to 71.8% in Q1 2025.

Meanwhile, imports grew 7.3% to SR222.73 billion, driven by demand for machinery (SR57.4 billion), transport parts (SR32.56 billion), and base metals (SR21.3 billion). China remained the largest source of imports at SR59.33 billion, followed by the US and India.

Sea routes accounted for over half of all imports (SR113.11 billion), with King Abdulaziz Sea Port in Dammam leading in volume. Riyadh’s dry port and King Khalid International Airport were also key entry points.

Reflecting the momentum in non-oil sectors, Saudi Arabia’s Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) reached 55.6 in April, signaling strong business expansion—outpacing regional peers such as the UAE (54) and Kuwait (54.2).