Saudi Arabia’s non-oil exports surged by 22.1% year-on-year in January, propelled by a massive 95.5% increase in re-export activities. Data from the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) has confirmed that the Kingdom successfully strengthened its trade position during this period. Furthermore, the ratio of non-oil exports to imports climbed to 40%, marking a significant improvement from the 34.9% recorded last year.
The machinery and electrical equipment sector spearheaded this economic expansion, witnessing a remarkable export growth rate of 77.5% year-on-year. Consequently, these specific products dominated the re-export market, as they accounted for 46.1% of the total volume for the month. While imports grew at a modest 6.5%, the overall merchandise trade surplus declined by 17.5% compared to the previous year.
China and UAE Top Global Destination Rankings
China maintained its position as the premier destination for Saudi goods, securing 15.1% of all total exports in January. Meanwhile, the United Arab Emirates and India followed closely, representing 12.9% and 9.8% of the Kingdom’s international trade respectively. The top ten global destinations collectively received 68.6% of all Saudi exports, illustrating a concentrated yet highly robust international demand.
King Abdulaziz International Airport emerged as the primary outlet for non-oil exports, handling 19.2% of the Kingdom’s total outbound shipments. Similarly, Jeddah Islamic Seaport and King Fahad Industrial Seaport in Jubail played vital roles, facilitating 11.1% and 9.3% of exports. These five major logistics hubs together managed 56.9% of the nation’s non-oil trade, proving their essential value to the economy.
