Saudi Arabia’s non-oil exports to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) witnessed a significant increase in January 2025, reaching SAR7.10 billion ($1.89 billion), reflecting a 10% rise from the previous month. The latest data from the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) underscores the Kingdom’s ongoing economic diversification efforts under its Vision 2030 strategy, which aims to reduce dependence on crude oil revenues.
Machinery and mechanical equipment dominated the non-oil shipments, accounting for SAR3.46 billion, followed by transport equipment, which stood at SAR1.74 billion. These figures indicate the growing role of the industrial and manufacturing sectors in Saudi Arabia’s economic transformation.
Saudi Arabia’s non-oil trade performance over the preceding months had demonstrated fluctuations, with non-oil shipments to the UAE recorded at SAR6.46 billion in December 2024, down from SAR7.17 billion in November. However, the latest figures reinforce the resilience of the non-oil sector and its capacity to expand despite global economic uncertainties.
The broader non-oil economy in the Kingdom continues to gain momentum. According to the Riyad Bank Saudi Arabia Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI), compiled by S&P Global, the index stood at 58.4 in February 2025. Although lower than January’s PMI of 60.5—the highest in a decade—this remains well above the threshold of 50, which indicates economic expansion. The UAE’s PMI in February stood at 55, while Qatar and Kuwait recorded 51 and 51.6, respectively, reflecting a generally positive economic climate in the Gulf region.
At the World Economic Forum in Davos in January, Saudi Finance Minister Mohammed Al-Jadaan reaffirmed the government’s commitment to fostering non-oil economic growth. He emphasised that expanding the non-oil gross domestic product (GDP) remains a national priority, with ongoing investments aimed at strengthening domestic industries and boosting export capabilities.
The GASTAT report also revealed that Saudi Arabia exported plastic goods worth SAR307 million in January, along with SAR288.2 million in base metals and SAR266.2 million in chemical products. Beyond the UAE, China was a significant recipient of Saudi non-oil exports, importing SAR2.22 billion worth of goods, including SAR990.9 million in plastic products and SAR703.2 million in chemicals. India ranked as the third-largest destination, receiving Saudi non-oil exports worth SAR2.00 billion, reflecting a 7.52% increase from the previous month. Other major trading partners included Türkiye (SAR1.10 billion), the United States (SAR1.02 billion), and Qatar (SAR763.6 million).
Egypt also remained an important market for Saudi non-oil exports, accounting for SAR751.7 million in January, while shipments to Kuwait and Belgium stood at SAR646.9 million and SAR632.2 million, respectively. The overall value of Saudi Arabia’s non-oil exports reached SAR26.48 billion in January, marking a 10.7% year-on-year increase. GASTAT noted that national non-oil exports, excluding re-exports, rose by 13.1% during the same period.
The increasing share of non-oil exports aligns with long-term economic reforms under Vision 2030. According to Minister of Economy and Planning Faisal Al-Ibrahim, non-oil activities now contribute 52% of Saudi GDP, growing at an annual rate of 20% since the programme’s inception. The December 2024 Mastercard Economics report projected that Saudi Arabia’s GDP would expand by 3.7% in 2025, with the non-oil sector continuing to drive growth.
In terms of logistics and export hubs, Jeddah Islamic Sea Port remained the primary exit point for Saudi non-oil goods, handling SAR3.12 billion in shipments. Other key ports included King Fahad Industrial Sea Port in Jubail (SAR3.23 billion) and King Abdulaziz Sea Port in Dammam (SAR2.50 billion). Jubail Sea Port facilitated SAR2.49 billion worth of exports, while Ras Tanura Sea Port and Ras Al Khair Sea Port handled SAR1.65 billion and SAR1.41 billion, respectively.
Overland trade routes also played a crucial role in facilitating exports. Al Batha Port processed SAR1.89 billion in non-oil shipments, while Al Hadithah Port accounted for SAR706.5 million. Among air freight hubs, King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh led with SAR2.67 billion in outbound shipments, followed by King Abdulaziz International Airport at SAR2.26 billion and King Fahd International Airport in Dammam at SAR286.9 million.
Saudi Arabia’s total merchandise exports, including oil, stood at SAR97.18 billion in January, reflecting a 2.4% year-on-year increase. Notably, the ratio of non-oil exports (including re-exports) to imports rose to 36.5% in January, compared to 35.7% in 2024. However, oil exports experienced a marginal decline of 0.4% year on year, reducing their share of total exports from 74.8% in 2024 to 72.7% in 2025.
Asia remained the dominant destination for Saudi exports, receiving SAR75.43 billion in shipments, marking a 6.01% increase from December 2024. Exports to Europe totalled SAR10.17 billion, while Africa and North America accounted for SAR7.28 billion and SAR3.95 billion, respectively. China continued to be Saudi Arabia’s top export market, receiving SAR14.74 billion in goods in January—a 20.32% increase from the previous month. Other significant trading partners included India (SAR10.60 billion), Japan (SAR9.90 billion), and South Korea (SAR9.05 billion). The UAE received Saudi exports worth SAR8.44 billion, while Egypt accounted for SAR2.84 billion in January.
On the import side, Saudi Arabia’s inbound shipments rose by 8.3% year on year in January, reaching SAR72.62 billion. China remained the Kingdom’s leading source of imports, supplying goods worth SAR19.16 billion. These imports were largely composed of mechanical appliances and electrical equipment, valued at SAR7.95 billion, along with transport products (SAR2.78 billion), base metals (SAR1.96 billion), and textiles (SAR1.19 billion). Other key import sources included the United States (SAR6.04 billion), the UAE (SAR3.96 billion), and India (SAR3.80 billion).
Germany supplied SAR3.00 billion in imports, followed by Japan (SAR3.44 billion), Egypt (SAR2.48 billion), Italy (SAR2.41 billion), and France (SAR1.85 billion). Sea shipments accounted for the majority of imports at SAR44.72 billion, while land and air imports stood at SAR8.62 billion and SAR19.27 billion, respectively.
King Abdulaziz Sea Port in Dammam was the primary entry point for imports, processing SAR20.92 billion worth of goods, equivalent to 28.8% of total inbound shipments. Jeddah Islamic Sea Port followed with SAR16.75 billion in imports, while Ras Tanura Sea Port and King Abdullah Sea Port facilitated SAR1.70 billion and SAR1.11 billion, respectively. In the air cargo sector, King Khalid International Airport handled SAR9.01 billion in imports, followed by King Abdulaziz International Airport (SAR6.24 billion) and King Fahd International Airport (SAR4.00 billion).
As Saudi Arabia intensifies its economic diversification efforts, the sustained growth in non-oil exports signifies an increasingly balanced trade landscape, reinforcing the Kingdom’s long-term ambitions for economic resilience beyond hydrocarbons.
