Saudi Arabia's Trade Reaches $49 Billion in October, Surplus Increases by 47.4%

In October 2025, Saudi Arabia's international trade amounted to approximately SR184.1 billion ($49.1 billion), marking the second-highest monthly figure recorded this year, as reported by the General Authority for Statistics. The data revealed an 8.4 percent year-on-year growth, translating to an increase of over SR14 billion compared to SR169.8 billion ($45.3 billion) in October 2024. Merchandise exports constituted 56.5 percent of the total trade, reaching SR103.9 billion ($27.7 billion), which is the highest level observed in 2025. Imports were recorded at SR80.1 billion ($21.4 billion), making up 43.5 percent of the total trade volume. The peak trade volume for the year was noted in July, surpassing SR185 billion. In terms of trade surplus, Saudi Arabia reported SR23.9 billion ($6.4 billion) for October 2025, reflecting a significant annual increase of 47.4 percent, which is over SR7 billion more than the surplus of SR16.2 billion ($4.3 billion) recorded in the same month of the previous year. Non-oil national exports, excluding re-exports, reached approximately SR20.1 billion ($5.4 billion), accounting for 19.3 percent of total merchandise exports. This figure represents a 2.4 percent annual growth, an increase of around SR462.3 million ($123.3 million) from SR19.6 billion ($5.2 billion) in October 2024. Petroleum exports totaled SR70.1 billion ($18.7 billion), comprising 67.4 percent of total exports. Re-exports experienced a notable annual increase of 130.7 percent, rising by SR7.8 billion to approximately SR13.8 billion ($3.7 billion), which is 13.2 percent of total merchandise exports, compared to SR5.9 billion ($1.6 billion) in the same period last year. Regarding export destinations, Asian countries accounted for the largest share at 73.1 percent, valued at SR76.1 billion ($20.3 billion), followed by European countries at 12.2 percent, or SR12.7 billion ($3.4 billion). African countries represented 7.4 percent, or SR7.7 billion ($2.1 billion), while the Americas accounted for 7.1 percent, valued at SR7.4 billion ($2 billion). China emerged as the top importer of Saudi exports, comprising 14.1 percent, or SR14.7 billion ($3.9 billion), followed by the UAE at 10.9 percent, or SR11.4 billion ($3.0 billion), and India at 9.9 percent, equivalent to SR10.3 billion ($2.7 billion). In terms of non-oil exports, including re-exports, goods passed through 31 customs ports, with a combined value of SR33.9 billion ($9 million). King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah led the way with SR4.6 billion ($1.2 billion), followed closely by Jeddah Islamic Port at SR3.8 billion ($1 billion).

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