SAUDI Arabia’s non-oil exports, including re-exports, rose 18.9 per cent in 2025, driven by a sharp increase in re-export activity that helped offset weaker domestic shipments, according to official figures, reports the Arab News.
Data released by the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) showed non-oil exports reached 366.08 billion riyals ($97.04bn) in 2025. While national non-oil exports excluding re-exports slipped 0.1pc from a year earlier, the value of re-exported goods surged 64.4pc.
The gains helped lift the ratio of non-oil exports to imports to 38.5pc, up from 35.3pc in 2024, as imports increased 8.8pc during the same period.
The latest figures highlight the growing role of trade, logistics and re-export activities in Saudi Arabia’s economic diversification strategy under Vision 2030, as the kingdom seeks to reduce its dependence on crude oil revenues and position itself as a regional commercial hub.
“The ratio of non-oil exports (including re-exports) to imports increased in 2025, reaching 38.5pc compared with 35.3pc in 2024. This increase was driven by an 18.9pc increase in non-oil exports, alongside an 8.8pc increase in imports over the same period,” said GASTAT.
Chemical products were the largest non-oil export category, accounting for 22.5pc of total non-oil exports and growing 4.7pc year on year.
Machinery, electrical equipment, and parts followed closely at 22.4pc of non-oil exports, posting an impressive 91.8pc surge.
Overall merchandise exports grew modestly by 2.1pc to 1.16 trillion riyals, even as oil exports declined by 4pc.
Consequently, the share of oil in total exports fell from 73.1pc in 2024 to 68.7pc in 2025.
China solidified its position as Saudi Arabia’s largest trading partner, receiving 14.6pc of the kingdom’s merchandise exports.
China was followed by the UAE at 10pc and India at 9.4pc.
South Korea, Japan, the US, Egypt, Bahrain, Poland, and Malta were also among the top 10 export destinations.
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