The Saudi economy continued to register strong positive indicators during the last quarter of 2025, with the latest official data revealing a significant leap in the Kingdom's international trade. According to a report by the General Authority for Statistics, the total volume of trade reached its second highest level this year, amounting to approximately SAR 184.1 billion in October 2025, achieving a remarkable annual growth rate of 8.4%, an increase of over SAR 14 billion compared to the same period of the previous year.
Export growth and trade surplus
Detailed data showed that merchandise exports were the main driver of this growth, accounting for 56.5% of total trade, reaching a value of SAR 103.9 billion – the highest level of exports recorded in 2025. In contrast, imports amounted to SAR 80.1 billion. This strong performance positively impacted the Kingdom's trade balance, which achieved a substantial surplus of SAR 23.9 billion, registering an annual growth rate of 47.4%. This reflects the Kingdom's robust financial position and its ability to enhance its foreign trade revenues.
A boom in re-export and logistics services
In line with the Kingdom's efforts to diversify its economy under Vision 2030 and transform into a global logistics hub connecting three continents, the re-export sector has witnessed an exceptional surge. The value of re-exported goods increased by a staggering 130.7% year-on-year, reaching approximately SAR 13.8 billion. This significant rise clearly indicates the success of national transport and logistics strategies and the development of infrastructure at Saudi ports and airports, which have come to play a pivotal role in global trade.
Map of trading partners and the eastward shift
In terms of international economic relations, Asian markets continued to dominate as the primary destination for Saudi exports, with Asian countries accounting for 73.1% of total exports, valued at SAR 76.1 billion. China maintained its position as the Kingdom's largest trading partner, followed by the United Arab Emirates and India. This geographical distribution underscores the depth of the strategic economic partnerships the Kingdom is building with emerging economies in the East, while maintaining balanced relations with partners in Europe, America, and Africa.
Non-oil exports and economic diversification
Despite petroleum exports continuing to constitute the largest share (67.4%) of total exports, valued at SAR 70.1 billion, non-petroleum national exports (excluding re-exports) recorded growth of 2.4%, reaching SAR 20.1 billion. This gradual growth is a significant indicator that the Kingdom is on the right track towards reducing its overall dependence on oil and supporting national industries and local products to compete in global markets, bolstered by a network of advanced customs facilities, most notably Jeddah Islamic Port and King Abdulaziz International Airport.
