Saudi Arabia’s trade surplus jumped to SAR 26.0 billion in May 2026, up from SAR 6.1 billion in the same month a year earlier, as exports increased and imports declined sharply.
Total exports rose 3.9% year-on-year to SAR 93.8 billion, supported primarily by a 19.5% increase in oil shipments. Oil exports accounted for 75.6% of total exports. In contrast, non-oil exports fell 27.5%, weighed down by a 31.6% drop in exports of electrical equipment and parts, which made up 22.0% of total non-oil exports.
China remained the top destination for Saudi exports, taking 12.3% of the total, followed by South Korea with 9.6% and the UAE with 7.5%.
Imports contracted 19.5% to SAR 67.8 billion, mainly reflecting a steep decline of 28.0% in imports of machinery, electrical equipment, and parts. China also retained its position as the leading source of imports, supplying 22.0% of the total, ahead of the US (10.7%) and Egypt (8.4%).
