GASTAT Reports 13.4% Growth in Non-Oil Exports in Q1 2025, 10.7% Increase in March
According to the report, non-oil exports—including re-exports—rose by 13.4% in Q1 2025 compared to the same period in 2024. In March 2025 alone, non-oil exports were up by 10.7% year-on-year, reinforcing the growing contribution of non-oil sectors to the Kingdom's international trade.
In contrast, total merchandise exports declined by 3.2% in Q1 and by 9.8% in March, compared to the same periods in 2024.
Merchandise imports saw an upward trend, increasing by 7.3% in Q1 2025 and by 0.1% in March year-on-year. Despite this, the trade balance surplus narrowed—falling by 28% in Q1 and 34.2% in March.
The ratio of non-oil exports to imports improved, reaching 36.2% in Q1 2025 (up from 34.3% in Q1 2024) and 36.5% in March (up from 33% in March 2024).
Meanwhile, the share of oil exports in total merchandise exports declined to 71.8% in Q1 2025 from 75.9% the previous year, and to 71.2% in March, down from 76.5% in March 2024.
Moreover, chemical products led non-oil exports, making up 23.8% of the total in Q1 and 25.7% in March 2025. On the import side, machinery, electrical equipment, and parts were the most significant, accounting for 25.8% in Q1 and 26.1% in March. China, Saudi Arabia
China remained Saudi Arabia's top trading partner, representing 15.7% of total exports and 26.6% of imports in Q1 2025. In March. Additionally, China's share stood at 15.5% of exports and 25.3% of imports.
GASTAT noted that the international trade data are compiled using administrative records from the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority for non-oil figures, and from the Ministry of Energy for oil-related data. Commodity classifications follow the 2022 Harmonized System (HS) codes.
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