Saudi Arabia has achieved a new economic milestone that reflects the success of its economic diversification plans, as non-oil exports (including re-exports) recorded a remarkable increase of 32.3% during October 2025 compared to the same month of the previous year, according to the latest data issued by the General Authority for Statistics.
Vision context and economic transformation
This rapid growth comes as part of the Kingdom's concerted efforts to achieve the goals of "Saudi Vision 2030," which prioritizes the development of non-oil exports to reduce reliance on oil as the primary source of income. Recent data demonstrates the success of national programs such as the National Industrial Development and Logistics Program (NIDLP), which aims to transform the Kingdom into a leading industrial power and a global logistics hub, thus explaining the significant surge in re-export figures and the transportation sector.
Business performance details for October 2025
The merchandise trade report revealed that the increase was not limited to the overall figure alone, but also included important qualitative details:
- National exports: Non-oil national exports (excluding re-exports) increased by 2.4%.
- Re-exports: Recorded a huge jump of 130.7%, mainly driven by a rise in transport equipment and parts by 387.5%, confirming the growing role of the Kingdom as a regional logistics hub.
- Total merchandise exports grew by 11.8% year-on-year, with petroleum exports registering a growth of 4.0%.
Economic impact and decreasing dependence on oil
One of the most positive indicators in the report is the decrease in the contribution of petroleum exports to total exports from 72.5% in October 2024 to 67.4% in October 2025. This relative decline in favor of non-oil sectors is a healthy indicator of the strength of the Saudi economy and its ability to create diverse and sustainable sources of income.
This strong performance was also reflected in the trade balance, as the merchandise trade surplus increased by 47.4%, and the ratio of non-oil exports to imports improved to 42.3%, compared to 33.4% in the previous year.
Key commodities and trading partners
"Machinery, appliances, and electrical equipment" topped the list of exported goods, accounting for 23.6% of total non-oil exports, with a growth rate exceeding 82%. Geographically, Asian markets maintained their position as a strategic partner for the Kingdom
- China: Top destinations with 14.1% of exports and 24.8% of imports.
- The UAE and India ranked second and third respectively in exports.
Regarding logistics outlets, the data confirmed the importance of Saudi seaports, with King Abdul Aziz Port in Dammam and Jeddah Islamic Port accounting for the largest share of import traffic, thus reinforcing the Kingdom’s pivotal position in global trade.
