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Gasoline Demands Fall in Saudi Arabia during First Quarter

A man walks at a petrol station in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia October 8, 2017. (File Photo: Reuters/Faisal Al Nasser)
A man walks at a petrol station in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia October 8, 2017. (File Photo: Reuters/Faisal Al Nasser)
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Gasoline Demands Fall in Saudi Arabia during First Quarter

A man walks at a petrol station in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia October 8, 2017. (File Photo: Reuters/Faisal Al Nasser)
A man walks at a petrol station in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia October 8, 2017. (File Photo: Reuters/Faisal Al Nasser)

The rise in fuel prices this year seems to have had an impact on demand in Saudi Arabia, falling by an average of 7.4 percent in the first quarter of this year, according to official figures.

Data released by the Joint Organizations Data Initiative (JODI) showed that the kingdom consumed an average of 549,000 barrels per day between January and March of this year compared with an average of 590,000 bpd during the same period last year.

Even if the data are compared on a monthly basis and not on a quarterly basis, it is clear that consumption is declining. In January, demand for gasoline fell 7.7 percent from the same month last year, while in February it fell 7.5 percent and in March 5.7 percent.

As of January, the official selling price of 91 octane fuel was at 1.37 riyals per liter and 95 octane fuel at 2.04 riyals per liter. While the price of diesel for the transport sector did not change from the previous basic price of about 0.47 riyals per liter. These prices include VAT.

Although the price of fuel has been adjusted in Saudi Arabia, the Kingdom has been among the countries with the lowest gasoline prices. The Kingdom ranked fifth in the world, with the price of a liter of gasoline $0.37. Venezuela came first with $0.01 per liter, followed by Turkmenistan $0.28, Algeria $0.28. Kuwait ranked fourth in the world at about $0.34, while Egypt and Ecuador ($0.39) came in sixth place.

The data showed that there is a growth in gasoline imports this year, although demand is falling. Saudi Arabia's gasoline imports in March rose by 54.5 percent from a year ago, while in February they rose by 47.4 percent after an increase of 69 percent in January.

Demand for diesel, the second fuel in the transport sector after gasoline, has fallen during all months of the year, although its price remained the same unlike gasoline. Demand for diesel in March fell by 9.6 percent year-on-year, while the decline was 18 percent in February and 13 percent in January, data showed.

Earlier this year, Saudi Arabia's diesel imports fell by about 14 percent before rising by a very large 240 percent in February. In March, imports increased by only 36.4 percent, data showed.

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Mawani Signs 3 MoUs with Global Shipping Lines to Support Saudi Exports

Mawani Signs 3 MoUs with Global Shipping Lines to Support Saudi Exports
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Mawani Signs 3 MoUs with Global Shipping Lines to Support Saudi Exports

Mawani Signs 3 MoUs with Global Shipping Lines to Support Saudi Exports

The Saudi Ports Authority (Mawani) signed on Tuesday three memoranda of understanding (MoUs) with major international shipping lines: MSC, Maersk, and CMA CGM.

The agreements were signed on the sidelines of the Made in Saudi Expo 2025 and in partnership with the Saudi Export Development Authority (Saudi Exports).

The memoranda aim to support national exports and Saudi exporters by boosting access to global markets through an integrated logistics services ecosystem that connects the Kingdom’s ports with international destinations via leading global shipping lines.

The initiative provides exporters with broader opportunities for expansion and growth, while reinforcing international confidence in the quality of Saudi products by ensuring fast, efficient, and reliable delivery.

The MoUs establish a strategic framework for cooperation among the signatories to deliver innovative and integrated logistics solutions, facilitate the export of Saudi products, and boost the availability of empty containers at the Kingdom’s ports to ensure sufficient inventory levels that meet exporters’ needs.

They aim to expand joint initiatives that contribute to increasing Saudi exports in line with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030. This includes organizing workshops, conferences, and exhibitions to raise awareness, bolster exporters’ capabilities, measure satisfaction with logistics services, and promote national exports globally.

The MoUs seek to improve Saudi exporters’ access to new markets by providing advanced and efficient logistics solutions through Jeddah Islamic Port, King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam, and Jubail Commercial Port, alongside efforts to further automate port operations.

Business

Saudi Arabia, Syria Discuss Industrial Investment Partnerships

Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Alkhorayef during Tuesday's meeting. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Alkhorayef during Tuesday's meeting. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia, Syria Discuss Industrial Investment Partnerships

Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Alkhorayef during Tuesday's meeting. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Alkhorayef during Tuesday's meeting. (SPA)

Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Alkhorayef held talks in Riyadh on Tuesday with Syrian Minister of Economy and Industry Nedal Al-Shaar on ways to strengthen economic relations and develop industrial investment partnerships between their countries.

Alkhorayef praised Syria’s participation as Guest of Honor in the third edition of the Made in Saudi Expo, noting that this reflects the depth of fraternal relations and the shared economic ties between the two countries.

The officials discussed aspects of industrial cooperation and the opportunities for Syria to benefit from the Kingdom’s expertise and successful experience in developing its industrial sector.

They addressed prominent export opportunities that can support trade growth, strengthen industrial and economic integration between Saudi Arabia and Syria, and advance their developmental goals and shared interests.

Separately, Alkhorayef revealed that the Kingdom’s non-oil exports reached SAR307 billion in the first half of this year, marking the highest semiannual growth on record. 

He made the announcement during his participation in a dialogue session with Al-Shaar on the sidelines of the Made in Saudi Expo 2025. 

Alkhorayef explained that Saudi Vision 2030, through its initiatives, has driven record performance and sustained growth in non-oil exports over the past few years by unlocking national industrial capabilities, boosting the quality of Saudi products, and expanding their access to global markets. 

He highlighted opportunities for cooperation between Saudi Arabia and Syria in developing industrial cities, enabling Damascus to benefit from the Kingdom’s successful experience in export development and local content support, thereby contributing to its economic growth. 

Alkhorayef underlined the level of efficiency, skill, and craftsmanship demonstrated by Syrian investors in the Kingdom’s industrial sector, hoping that the industrial sector would become a key pillar of Syria’s economic advancement. 

He also addressed trade development between the two countries, noting that Saudi non-oil exports to Syria totaled SAR1.2 billion in the first nine months of 2025. 

Business

Saudi Inflation Slows to Nine-Month Low in November

 People enjoy sitting outdoors as the summer heat eases in Riyadh (AFP). 
 People enjoy sitting outdoors as the summer heat eases in Riyadh (AFP). 
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Saudi Inflation Slows to Nine-Month Low in November

 People enjoy sitting outdoors as the summer heat eases in Riyadh (AFP). 
 People enjoy sitting outdoors as the summer heat eases in Riyadh (AFP). 

Saudi Arabia’s annual inflation rate slowed to 1.9 percent in November 2025, its lowest level in nine months, down from 2.2 percent in October, driven by easing housing costs and lower prices for food and beverages.

On a monthly basis, inflation remained broadly stable, edging up 0.1 percent compared with October.

According to data released on Monday by the Saudi General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT), the housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels category rose 4.3 percent year on year in November, down from 4.5 percent in October. Within that category, actual housing rents increased 5.4 percent, slowing from 5.7 percent a month earlier.

Prices in the food and beverages category rose 1.3 percent, reflecting a 1.6 percent increase in the prices of fresh, chilled and frozen meat. The transport category climbed 1.5 percent, driven by a 6.4 percent rise in passenger transport services.

The personal care, social protection and miscellaneous goods and services category recorded the largest annual increase, up 6.6 percent, supported by a 19.9 percent surge in prices of other personal products, influenced by a 21.6 percent rise in jewelry and watch prices.

Prices for insurance and financial services increased 5.1 percent, led by an 8.4 percent rise in insurance costs. The recreation, sports and culture category rose 1.3 percent, reflecting a 2.1 percent increase in holiday package prices.

In contrast, prices for furniture, household equipment and routine household maintenance declined 0.3 percent. The restaurants and accommodation services category also fell 0.5 percent, as accommodation service prices decreased 2.3 percent.

GASTAT noted that the Consumer Price Index (CPI) measures changes in prices paid by consumers for a fixed basket of 582 items, while the Wholesale Price Index (WPI) tracks price movements of goods at the pre-retail stage for a fixed basket of 343 items.