Saudi Arabia closed the third quarter of 2025 with its trade engines humming, pushing total international commerce to nearly SR540.5 billion — an 8.6% climb over the same period a year earlier. The numbers land with the confidence of a nation steadily reshaping its global footprint, powered by both traditional strengths and evolving export corridors.
Fresh figures from the national statistics bulletin chart out a sharply defined picture: merchandise exports carried most of the weight at SR303.3 billion, while imports accounted for SR237.2 billion. The resulting surplus — SR66.1 billion — stands as a reminder of the Kingdom’s steady command of its trade balance.
Beyond oil, the country’s industrial and manufactured output held its ground. Non-oil national exports reached SR57 billion, representing just under a fifth of all merchandise exports. Though edging down slightly on an annual basis, they still managed a solid quarter-on-quarter rise, hinting at momentum building beneath the surface.
Oil, predictably, remained the anchor. With SR207.8 billion in shipments, the sector accounted for more than two-thirds of all exports. Yet the standout story came from re-exports, which surged by nearly 70% year-on-year to SR38.5 billion — a sign of mounting activity in the Kingdom’s growing role as a regional trade hub.
Asia continued to dominate as the Kingdom’s biggest customer, absorbing over 70% of Saudi exports. Europe trailed in the mid-teens, followed by Africa and the Americas. China held its familiar spot as the leading destination, with the UAE and India rounding out the top trio.
On the move from factory floors to foreign markets, non-oil goods flowed through 34 air, sea, and land crossings. King Abdulaziz International Airport carried the crown with SR17.3 billion in outbound value, while Jeddah Islamic Port followed with SR10.8 billion — two gateways framing the Kingdom’s high-velocity trade pulse.
