Saudi domestic non-oil exports rise 8.5% in August despite overall trade decline

Saudi Arabia's non-oil exports surged by 8.5 percent year-on-year in August 2026, according to the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT). This growth occurred despite a decline in overall merchandise exports, as reported in the International Merchandise Trade Statistics. Plastics, rubber, and their products comprised the largest share of non-oil exports at 22.6 percent, marking a 7.5 percent increase compared to August 2025.

The ratio of non-oil exports to imports, including re-exports, rose to 36.51 percent, up from 36.48 percent in the previous year. However, total non-oil exports, including re-exports, fell by 9.1 percent, with re-exported goods declining by 34 percent. Overall merchandise exports dropped by 11.5 percent year-on-year, primarily due to a 12.5 percent decline in oil exports.

The trade surplus also decreased by 21 percent compared to August 2025. The United Arab Emirates, South Korea, and India were the top destinations for Saudi merchandise exports, while China was the largest source of merchandise imports, followed by the United States and Egypt. Jeddah Islamic Port was the leading port for both merchandise imports and non-oil merchandise exports.

The statistics are based on administrative records from the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority and the Ministry of Energy, with the 2026 figures being preliminary.