There's a new buzz in Saudi Arabia, and it's not about oil. The Kingdom, long known for its vast reserves of black gold, is making waves with its non-oil exports. In October 2025, these exports, including re-exports, jumped a whopping 32.3% compared to the same time last year. It's a big deal. The figures, released by the General Authority for Statistics, highlight a growing push to diversify the nation's economy beyond oil.

But what's really going on here? National non-oil exports saw a 2.4% increase from October 2024, while total merchandise exports climbed a significant 11.8%. This resulted in a trade balance surplus that expanded by an impressive 47.4% year-on-year. That's a hefty number.

Imports weren't left behind. They also saw a rise, going up by 4.3% in October 2025. The ratio of non-oil exports to imports improved, hitting 42.3% compared to 33.4% the previous year. This clearly shows a stronger export performance relative to what's coming in.

Non-Oil Exports: The Key Players

So, what's driving these non-oil exports? Electrical machinery, equipment, and parts are leading the charge, making up 23.6% of the total. Chemical industry products aren't far behind, accounting for 19.4%. When it comes to imports, electrical machinery and equipment top the list, comprising 30.2% of all imports, with a 26.3% growth from October 2024. Transport equipment and parts also play a significant role, though they saw a 22.9% decline compared to last year.

China is a major player in this narrative. The country remains Saudi Arabia's largest trading partner, representing 14.1% of total exports and a hefty 24.8% of total imports. The top 10 trading partners of the Kingdom accounted for a massive 70.4% of exports and 67.7% of imports.

And let's not forget the ports. King Abdulaziz Port is at the forefront, handling the largest share of imports, a solid 25.7% of the total in October. Its role is crucial, underscoring its continued importance to Saudi Arabia's trade flows.