FX.co ★ Saudi Arabia Trade Surplus Narrows Sharply

In May 2025, Saudi Arabia experienced a significant contraction in its trade surplus, which dropped to SAR 9.5 billion from SAR 30.1 billion recorded in the same month the previous year. This contraction was primarily attributed to a 14.0% year-over-year decline in exports, reaching an eight-month low of SAR 90.4 billion. The downturn in exports was largely influenced by a 21.8% decrease in oil exports, which constituted 65.6% of the total export volume. On the other hand, non-oil exports demonstrated growth, increasing by 6.0%.

China continued to be Saudi Arabia's leading export partner, accounting for 14.0% of exports, followed by the European Union at 11.2% and India at 8.9%. In the same period, imports grew by 7.8% to SAR 80.9 billion, buoyed by a substantial 23.0% increase in the acquisition of machinery, electrical equipment, and parts; these imports represented 29.7% of the total import figure. Conversely, the importation of transportation equipment and parts decreased by 9.2%, making up 11.4% of the overall imports. On the supplier front, China was the foremost source of Saudi imports, with a share of 28.9%, followed by the United States at 7.5%, and the UAE at 6.3%.