Saudi Arabia’s non-oil exports rise 30.4pc to $9b

RIYADH, Sept 25 (Arab News): Saudi Arabia's non-oil exports, including re-exports, reached SR33.71 billion ($8.99 billion) in July, marking a 30.4 per cent increase compared to the same month last year, official data showed.
According to preliminary figures released by the General Authority for Statistics, the UAE was the top destination for Saudi non-oil products, with shipments totaling SR10 billion.
India ranked second, receiving goods worth SR3.48 billion, followed by China at SR1.99 billion, Turkiye at SR1.95 billion, the UK at SR1.25 billion, and Egypt at SR992.4 million.
The robust growth highlights progress under Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 program, which seeks to diversify the economy and reduce reliance on oil revenues.
"Non-oil exports, including re-exports, recorded an increase of 30.4 per cent compared to July 2024, while national non-oil exports, excluding re-exports, grew by 0.6 per cent. Moreover, the value of re-exported goods increased by 111.3 per cent during the same period," said GASTAT.
Other key destinations in July included Belgium at SR929.1 million, Qatar at SR778.6 million, and Switzerland at SR776.1 million. Exports to Kuwait stood at SR711.6 million, while Jordan and Bahrain received SR678.2 million and SR656 million, respectively.
Machinery, electrical equipment, and parts led the export basket, accounting for 29.7 per cent of non-oil shipments and registering a sharp 191.1 per cent year-on-year increase.
Chemical products followed with a 19.6 per cent share, edging up 0.9 per cent from July 2024.
In May, GASTAT noted that Saudi Arabia's gross domestic product grew 2.7 per cent year on year in the first quarter, driven by robust non-oil activity.
Economy and Planning Minister Faisal Al-Ibrahim, who also chairs GASTAT's board, said non-oil activities contributed 53.2 per cent to GDP - a 5.7 per cent rise over previous estimates.
He added that the Kingdom's economic outlook remains strong, supported by structural reforms and large-scale state-led projects.
Further reflecting this momentum, S&P Global reported that Saudi Arabia's Purchasing Managers' Index rose to 56.4 in August from 56.3 in July, staying well above the 50-mark that separates growth from contraction. The Kingdom outpaced regional peers, with the UAE and Kuwait posting PMIs of 53.3 and 53, respectively.
According to GASTAT, ports played a key role in the July surge.
Jeddah Islamic Sea Port handled the largest volume of non-oil exports at SR3.63 billion, followed by King Fahad Industrial Sea Port at SR3.37 billion and King Abdulaziz Sea Port in Dammam at SR2.44 billion.
Jubail and Ras Al Khair sea ports processed SR2.10 billion and SR1.97 billion, respectively.
On land, Al-Batha Port processed SR2.18 billion in non-oil exports, while Al-Hadithah and Al-Wadiah ports recorded SR915.4 million and SR553.8 million, respectively.
Among airports, King Abdulaziz International Airport processed non-oil outbound goods valued at SR6.63 billion, followed by King Khalid International Airport at SR4.78 billion, and King Fahad International Airport at SR404.4 million.
Overall merchandise exports
Saudi Arabia's overall merchandise exports stood at SR102.38 billion in July, representing a rise of 7.8 per cent compared to the same month in 2024.
Oil exports decreased by 0.7 per cent year on year in July. "Consequently, the per centage of oil exports out of total exports decreased from 72.8 per cent in July 2024 to 67.1 per cent in July 2025," said the report.
Asia remained the largest market for Saudi exports in July, accounting for SR72.44 billion.
Europe followed at SR16.54 billion, with Africa and the Americas receiving Saudi exports valued at SR7.50 billion and SR5.72 billion, respectively.
China was the top destination for Saudi Arabia's merchandise exports in July, as the Asian nation received shipments valued at SR14.33 billion.
The UAE received goods worth SR10.85 billion, followed by India at SR9.66 billion, South Korea at SR8.72 billion and Japan at SR7.14 billion.
In July, exports to the US stood at SR4.22 billion, while Egypt and Malta received inbound shipments valued at SR3.68 billion and SR3.43 billion, respectively.
Saudi Arabia's imports decreased by 2.5 per cent year on year in July to reach SR75.52 billion, while the merchandise trade balance surplus rose by 53.4 per cent over the same period.