Value of Saudi Arabia's October Exports Rises 90%

Saudi Arabia encourages investment in the local food and dairy sector (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Arabia encourages investment in the local food and dairy sector (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Value of Saudi Arabia's October Exports Rises 90%

Saudi Arabia encourages investment in the local food and dairy sector (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Arabia encourages investment in the local food and dairy sector (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Overall exports from Saudi Arabia climbed 90 percent on annual basis in October to 106 billion riyals ($28 billion), up from 55.9 billion riyals ($14 billion) recorded during the same period in 2020, according to data from the Kingdom’s General Authority for Statistics.

“This increase originated mainly from oil exports, which rose by 45.5 billion riyals ($12 billion), or 123 percent in the same period”, as the share of oil exports in total exports from the country jumped to 77.6 percent in October from 66 percent in the same period last year, said the authority's monthly trade report.

The kingdom’s non-oil exports increased by 25 percent year-on-year in October to 23.8 billion riyals ($6.3 billion) from 18.9 billion riyals ($5 billion) in October 2020.

They, however, decreased month-on-month by 1.5 billion riyals, or 5.9 percent ($400 million), according to government data.

Meanwhile, natural pearl and gemstone topped the list of UAE imports from Saudi Arabia with a value of approximately 2.7 billion riyals.

They were followed by minerals with a value of 1.5 billion riyals then mineral products with a value of 1.2 billion riyals during the third quarter of the current year.

This data was revealed in a report published by the Council for Saudi Chambers of Commerce and Industry.

The UAE came first among the GCC countries in terms of trade with the Kingdom.

Bilateral trade reached an estimate of 24 billion riyals in the third quarter of 2021, an increase of 16 percent compared to the same period in 2020.

In this context, Chairperson of Council of Saudi Chambers Mr. Ajlan bin Abdulaziz Al Ajlan described the Saudi-Emirati economic ties as distinguished.



Oil Extends Climb on Supply Fears, Trade War Concerns Cap Gains

FILE - Pump jacks extract oil from beneath the ground in North Dakota, May 19, 2021. (AP Photo/Matthew Brown, File)
FILE - Pump jacks extract oil from beneath the ground in North Dakota, May 19, 2021. (AP Photo/Matthew Brown, File)
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Oil Extends Climb on Supply Fears, Trade War Concerns Cap Gains

FILE - Pump jacks extract oil from beneath the ground in North Dakota, May 19, 2021. (AP Photo/Matthew Brown, File)
FILE - Pump jacks extract oil from beneath the ground in North Dakota, May 19, 2021. (AP Photo/Matthew Brown, File)

Oil prices inched higher on Tuesday after threats by US President Donald Trump to impose secondary tariffs on Russian crude and attack Iran, though worries about the impact of a trade war on global growth capped gains.

Brent futures rose 21 cents, or 0.3%, to $74.98 a barrel at 0645 GMT, while US West Texas Intermediate crude futures climbed 22 cents, or 0.3%, to $71.70.

The contracts settled at five-week highs a day earlier.

"Near-term risks are skewed to the upside, with US threats of secondary tariffs on Russian and Iranian oil leading market participants to price for the risks of tighter oil supplies," said Yeap Jun Rong, market strategist at IG, Reuters reported.

However, broader themes still revolve around concerns of upcoming tariffs weighing on global demand, along with prospects of increased supply from OPEC+ and the US, said Yeap.

A Reuters poll of 49 economists and analysts in March projected that oil prices would remain under pressure this year from US tariffs and economic slowdowns in India and China, while OPEC+ increases supply.

Slower global growth would dent fuel demand, which might offset any reduction in supply due to Trump's threats.

After news of Trump's threats initially boosted prices on Monday, traders told Reuters they viewed the president's warnings to Russia, at least, as a bluff.

Trump, on Sunday, told NBC News that he was very angry with Russian President Vladimir Putin and would impose secondary tariffs of 25% to 50% on Russian oil buyers if Moscow tries to block efforts to end the war in Ukraine.

Tariffs on buyers of oil from Russia, the world's second largest oil exporter, would disrupt global supply and hurt Moscow's biggest customers, China and India.

Trump also threatened Iran with similar tariffs and bombings if Tehran did not reach an agreement with the White House over its nuclear program.

"For now, it appears to be just a threat to Russia and Iran. However, if it becomes a reality, it creates plenty of upside risk to the market given the significant oil export volumes from both countries," said ING commodities strategists on Tuesday.

The market will be watching for weekly inventory data from US industry group the American Petroleum Institute later on Tuesday, ahead of official statistics from the Energy Information Administration on Wednesday.

Five analysts surveyed by Reuters estimated on average that US crude inventories fell by about 2.1 million barrels in the week to March 28.