Saudi Arabia’s International Trade Surges to $144.14 Billion in Q3 2025
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Saudi Arabia’s international trade reached SR540.5 billion ($144.14 billion) in the third quarter of 2025, marking a significant 8.6 percent year-on-year increase. This growth, equivalent to an additional SR43 billion ($11.48 billion) compared to the SR497.5 billion ($132.69 billion) recorded in the same period in 2024, underscores the Kingdom’s expanding role in global commerce, according to data released by the General Authority for Statistics.
Trade Balance and Composition
The latest quarterly international trade bulletin reveals a robust trade balance, with merchandise exports accounting for 56.1 percent of total trade, totaling SR303.3 billion ($80.88 billion). Imports comprised the remaining 43.9 percent, reaching SR237.2 billion ($63.26 billion). This dynamic resulted in a substantial trade surplus of SR66.1 billion ($17.64 billion).
Diversification Efforts Show Promise
While oil exports continue to dominate, representing 68.5 percent of total exports at SR207.8 billion ($55.44 billion), Saudi Arabia is actively pursuing economic diversification. Non-oil national exports, excluding re-exports, reached SR57 billion ($15.20 billion), constituting 18.8 percent of total merchandise exports.
Despite a slight 0.4 percent annual decline – a decrease of SR200 million ($53.33 million) – these exports demonstrated resilience with a 3.1 percent quarter-on-quarter increase, adding SR1.7 billion ($453.34 million) to the total. This suggests a positive trend in the Kingdom’s non-oil sector.
Re-exports Lead Growth Momentum
Notably, re-exports experienced the most significant growth, surging 69.6 percent year-on-year – an increase of SR15.8 billion ($4.22 billion) – to reach SR38.5 billion ($10.28 billion). This momentum continued on a quarterly basis, with re-exports growing by 17.4 percent, equivalent to SR5.7 billion ($1.52 billion). This strong performance indicates Saudi Arabia’s increasing role as a regional trade hub.
Regional Trade Dynamics
Asian countries remain the primary destination for Saudi exports, receiving 71.7 percent of the total, valued at SR217.4 billion ($58 billion). Europe followed with a 14.8 percent share (SR44.7 billion / $11.92 billion), while Africa accounted for 7.4 percent (SR22.4 billion / $5.97 billion) and the Americas for 6 percent (SR18.3 billion / $4.88 billion).
Key Export Markets
China solidified its position as Saudi Arabia’s largest export market, representing 14.9 percent of total exports at SR45.2 billion ($12.05 billion). The UAE ranked second with 10.8 percent (SR32.7 billion / $8.73 billion), closely followed by India with 9.5 percent (SR29 billion / $7.74 billion). These figures highlight the strategic importance of these partnerships for the Kingdom’s trade portfolio.
Customs Points Facilitate Trade
Non-oil exports, including re-exports, were processed through 34 land, sea, and air customs points, with a combined value of SR95.5 billion ($25.45 billion). King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah emerged as the leading customs point, handling SR17.3 billion ($4.61 billion) in exports, followed by Jeddah Islamic Port at SR10.8 billion ($2.88 billion).
These latest figures demonstrate Saudi Arabia’s continued economic strength and its commitment to diversifying its trade relationships, positioning the Kingdom for sustained growth in the global marketplace.
