\n Figures from Saudi Arabia\u2019s General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) showed that merchandise exports fell 17.2% year-on-year to SR84.38 billion ($22.5 billion).
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\n Imports also declined, falling 15.4% to SR70.02 billion ($18.7 billion). As a result, the kingdom maintained a trade surplus, although it was 25% lower than in July 2025.
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\n Egypt stands out in Saudi Arabia\u2019s African trade
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\n The North African market was the only one from the continent to feature among Saudi Arabia\u2019s top 10 destinations for exports and sources of imports in July.
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\n On the export side, Egypt joined China, the United Arab Emirates, Japan, South Korea, India, the United States, Poland, Malta and Taiwan. Together, the 10 markets accounted for 67.2% of Saudi merchandise exports.
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\n For imports, it appeared alongside China, the US, Switzerland, Germany, the UAE, India, Italy, France and Japan. Collectively, these markets supplied 64.7% of the kingdom\u2019s imports.
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\n The figures point to relatively concentrated trade between Saudi Arabia and Africa, with no other African market appearing in either top-10 list during the month.
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\n Saudi Arabia is the largest economy in the Arabian Peninsula and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), and the Middle East\u2019s second-largest by nominal GDP after T\u00fcrkiye, according to IMF projections, while Egypt ranks among Africa\u2019s largest economies.
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\n Their locations on opposite sides of the Red Sea also place the two countries along an important commercial corridor linking North Africa and the Gulf.
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\n China and UAE dominate trade flows
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\n Despite Egypt\u2019s position, Saudi Arabia\u2019s overall trade remained heavily concentrated in Asia and the Gulf.
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\n China was the kingdom\u2019s largest export market, receiving 13.4% of total shipments. The UAE followed with 10%, while Japan accounted for 8.7%.
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\n China also led on imports, supplying 22.7% of goods entering Saudi Arabia. The US accounted for 8.4%, followed by Switzerland at 6.9%.
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\n Meanwhile, the UAE remained Saudi Arabia\u2019s biggest market for non-oil exports, receiving goods worth SR6.61 billion ($1.76 billion). India followed with SR3.20 billion ($853 million), while China received SR1.55 billion ($413 million).
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\n Oil remains central to Saudi exports
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\n Oil continued to dominate Saudi Arabia\u2019s export earnings despite the kingdom\u2019s economic diversification drive under Vision 2030.
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\n Oil\u2019s share of total exports rose to 71% from 67.4% in July 2025.
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\n At the same time, non-oil exports, including re-exports, declined 26.2%. National non-oil exports fell 14.8%, while re-exported goods dropped 40%.
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\n Plastics and rubber accounted for 19.8% of non-oil exports, while chemical products represented 18.6%.
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\n On the import side, machinery and electrical equipment accounted for 25.7% of total purchases, while transport equipment represented 10.2%.
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\n Red Sea routes gain importance
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\n The weaker trade figures came as Saudi Arabia adjusted its logistics and energy routes following disruptions to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
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\n The kingdom has increasingly relied on its East-West pipeline and Red Sea ports to maintain trade flows and reduce its exposure to disruptions in Gulf shipping routes.
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\n The July figures underline Saudi Arabia\u2019s continued reliance on oil while also showing the importance of major trading partners across Africa, Asia, Europe and the Gulf.
\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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