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Value of Saudi Exports Recorded $1.1b Increase in March

 Container shipping operations at King Fahd Industrial Port in Yanbu (western Saudi Arabia) (Asharq Al-Awsat)
 Container shipping operations at King Fahd Industrial Port in Yanbu (western Saudi Arabia) (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Value of Saudi Exports Recorded $1.1b Increase in March

 Container shipping operations at King Fahd Industrial Port in Yanbu (western Saudi Arabia) (Asharq Al-Awsat)
 Container shipping operations at King Fahd Industrial Port in Yanbu (western Saudi Arabia) (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Recent statistics showed a rise in the value of Saudi merchandise exports in March by 4.4 billion riyals ($1.1 billion), or 4.4 percent, compared to February, while the value of non-oil exports increased by about 1.5 billion riyals ($400 million), or by 7.2 percent over the same period.

On Thursday, the International Trade Bulletin for the month of March, issued by the Saudi General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT), revealed a decrease in the Kingdom’s overall merchandise exports by 25.3 percent year-on-year in March, as the value of exports amounted to 142 million riyals in the same month of 2022.

GASTAT pointed out that this year-on-year decrease in exports was primarily driven by a decrease in oil shipments, which fell 26.5 percent in March to 83.1 billion riyals.

Non-oil exports (including re-exports) decreased by 20.6 percent, to record 23 billion riyals ($6.1 billion) in March, compared to 28.9 billion riyals ($7.7 billion) in the same month of 2022.

According to the bulletin, imports rose in March by 9.8 percent, reaching 61.8 billion riyals ($16.4 billion), compared to 56.3 billion riyals ($15 billion) in the same period last year.

On a monthly basis, the value of imports increased by 8.5 percent, compared to February 2023.

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Saudi Non-Oil Exports Hit Two-Year High

The King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam, eastern Saudi Arabia. (“Mawani” port authority)
The King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam, eastern Saudi Arabia. (“Mawani” port authority)
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Saudi Non-Oil Exports Hit Two-Year High

The King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam, eastern Saudi Arabia. (“Mawani” port authority)
The King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam, eastern Saudi Arabia. (“Mawani” port authority)

Saudi Arabia’s non-oil exports soared to a two-year high in May, reaching SAR 28.89 billion (USD 7.70 billion), marking an 8.2% year-on-year increase compared to May 2023.

On a monthly basis, non-oil exports surged by 26.93% from April.

This growth contributed to Saudi Arabia’s trade surplus, which recorded a year-on-year increase of 12.8%, reaching SAR 34.5 billion (USD 9.1 billion) in May, following 18 months of decline.

The enhancement of the non-oil private sector remains a key focus for Saudi Arabia as it continues its efforts to diversify its economy and reduce reliance on oil revenues.

In 2023, non-oil activities in Saudi Arabia contributed 50% to the country’s real GDP, the highest level ever recorded, according to the Ministry of Economy and Planning’s analysis of data from the General Authority for Statistics.

Saudi Finance Minister Mohammed Al-Jadaan emphasized at the “Future Investment Initiative” in October that the Kingdom is now prioritizing the development of the non-oil sector over GDP figures, in line with its Vision 2030 economic diversification plan.

A report by Moody’s highlighted Saudi Arabia’s extensive efforts to transform its economic structure, reduce dependency on oil, and boost non-oil sectors such as industry, tourism, and real estate.

The Saudi General Authority for Statistics’ monthly report on international trade noted a 5.8% growth in merchandise exports in May compared to the same period last year, driven by a 4.9% increase in oil exports, which totaled SAR 75.9 billion in May 2024.

The change reflects movements in global oil prices, while production levels remained steady at under 9 million barrels per day since the OPEC+ alliance began a voluntary reduction in crude supply to maintain prices. Production is set to gradually increase starting in early October.

On a monthly basis, merchandise exports rose by 3.3% from April to May, supported by a 26.9% increase in non-oil exports. This rise was bolstered by a surge in re-exports, which reached SAR 10.2 billion, the highest level for this category since 2017.

The share of oil exports in total exports declined to 72.4% in May from 73% in the same month last year.

Moreover, the value of re-exported goods increased by 33.9% during the same period.