Saudi non-oil exports rise 8.5% in August 2026 despite trade surplus drop

Saudi Arabia’s national non-oil exports grew by 8.5% in August 2026 compared to the same month last year, excluding re-exports, according to data from the General Authority for Statistics. Exports of plastics, rubber, and related products rose 7.5% year-on-year.

International trade data showed total Saudi merchandise exports fell by 11.5% in August 2026 compared to August 2025, driven by a 12.5% drop in oil exports. Imports declined by 9.1%, and the trade surplus narrowed by 21% year-on-year.

For non-oil exports, the value dropped by 9.1% when re-exports were included, while re-exports alone fell by 34% during the same period.

The data attributed the decline in re-exports mainly to a 63.6% drop in exports of machinery, electrical equipment, and parts, which accounted for 31.7% of total re-exported goods.

Plastics and rubber lead non-oil exports

Plastics, rubber, and related products topped the list of non-oil exports, making up 22.6% of total non-oil exports after their value rose 7.5% year-on-year.

Chemical industries and related products ranked second, accounting for 20.9% of non-oil exports, despite a 17.7% decline in export value.

For imports, machinery, electrical equipment, and parts led with a 26.2% share of total imports, though their value dropped by 19.8%. Chemical industries and related products came second with a 9.6% share, as their import value increased by 2.7%.

UAE remains top destination for Saudi exports

The United Arab Emirates was the leading destination for Saudi merchandise exports in August 2026, accounting for 11.4%, followed by South Korea at 11.2% and India at 8.4%.

The top ten export destinations also included China, Japan, Egypt, Poland, the United States, Oman, and Malta, alongside the UAE, South Korea, and India. Together, these markets received 64.5% of Saudi exports.

On the import side, China was the largest supplier to Saudi Arabia with a 21.9% share, followed by the United States at 8.4% and Egypt at 5.8%. The top ten import partners accounted for 61.2% of total imports.

Jeddah Islamic Port tops customs entry points

Jeddah Islamic Port was the leading customs entry point for imports, handling 46.7% of total imports, followed by King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh at 14.6%, King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah at 8.4%, King Fahd International Airport in Dammam at 6.8%, and Al Batha border crossing at 3.9%. Combined, these entry points accounted for 80.4% of imports.

For non-oil exports, Jeddah Islamic Port ranked first with a 27.5% share, followed by King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah at 10.4%, Al Batha at 9.7%, King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh at 6.8%, and Rub' al Khali border crossing at 4.8%. These outlets together handled 59.2% of non-oil exports.

Additionally, the ratio of non-oil exports, including re-exports, to imports rose to 36.51% in August 2026, up from 36.48% a year earlier. Meanwhile, the share of oil exports in total merchandise exports fell to 70%, compared to 70.8% in August 2025.