Saudi Arabia’s strategic economic diversification reached a significant milestone this month as non-oil exports witnessed a massive double-digit increase. According to the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT), Saudi non-oil exports, including re-exports, surged by 32.3% in October 2025.
This impressive growth reflects the kingdom’s successful transition toward a sustainable economy under the ambitious framework of Vision 2030, as national non-oil exports alone increased by 2.4%, while total merchandise exports grew by 11.8% compared to the previous year. Consequently, the trade balance surplus skyrocketed by 47.4%, showcasing the kingdom’s strengthening position within the global competitive trade market.
Shifting Dynamics in Import-Export Ratios
The latest data reveals that the ratio of non-oil exports to imports climbed to 42.3% from 33.4% in 2024. Although imports rose by 4.3% in October, the narrowing gap indicates a more resilient and self-sufficient domestic production sector. Electrical machinery and equipment topped the export list, representing 23.6% of the total non-oil goods sent to foreign markets. Furthermore, chemical industry products followed closely behind, contributing 19.4% to the total non-oil export volume during this productive period.
China maintained its status as the kingdom’s primary trading partner, accounting for 14.1% of exports and 24.8% of imports. The top ten trading partners collectively represented 70.4% of total exports and 67.7% of the nation’s total imports.
Meanwhile, King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam emerged as the leading customs hub, handling 25.7% of all incoming goods. In contrast, transport equipment imports saw a decline of 22.9%, marking a notable shift in the kingdom’s procurement priorities.
