Saudi Arabia's Trade Surplus More Than Doubles to SAR 25.4 Billion in April

Riyadh | EcoPulse24

Oil Exports Drive Stronger Trade Balance

Saudi Arabia's trade surplus widened to SAR 25.4 billion in April 2026, more than doubling from SAR 12.7 billion recorded in the same month last year, as stronger exports and lower imports lifted the Kingdom's external trade balance.

According to the latest trade data, total exports increased 9.3% year-on-year to SAR 101.2 billion, while imports declined 5.2% to SAR 75.7 billion.

Oil Shipments Continue to Lead Export Growth

The improvement in exports was primarily driven by the energy sector, with oil exports rising 11.7% from a year earlier. Petroleum shipments accounted for 68.8% of Saudi Arabia's total exports during the month.

Meanwhile, non-oil exports declined 7.3%, reflecting weaker shipments of plastic and rubber products, which fell 12.4% and represented 17.1% of total non-oil exports.

China Remains Saudi Arabia's Largest Trading Partner

China retained its position as Saudi Arabia's largest export destination, accounting for 15.2% of total exports, followed by the United Arab Emirates (10.6%) and South Korea (9.7%).

On the import side, China also remained the Kingdom's largest supplier, representing 29.4% of total imports, ahead of the United Arab Emirates (7.9%) and the United States (7.2%).

Imports Decline as Transport Equipment Falls

Saudi imports fell 5.2% compared with April 2025, largely due to a 34.1% decline in transport equipment imports, contributing to the expansion of the overall trade surplus.

EcoPulse24 Data Snapshot

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EcoPulse24 Analysis

Saudi Arabia's April trade figures carry added significance because they were recorded during a period of heightened geopolitical tensions across the Middle East, when concerns over regional energy security and shipping routes were elevated. Despite that backdrop, the Kingdom posted a SAR 25.4 billion trade surplus, supported by stronger oil exports and lower imports.

A key element underpinning Saudi Arabia's export resilience is its strategic energy infrastructure, particularly the East – West Pipeline (Petroline), which links oil fields in the Eastern Province with the export terminal at Yanbu on the Red Sea. By providing an alternative route that bypasses the Strait of Hormuz, the pipeline strengthens the Kingdom's ability to maintain crude exports during periods of heightened regional risk and reinforces the reliability of its energy supply chain.

Against this backdrop, oil exports rose 11.7% and accounted for 68.8% of total exports, while imports fell 5.2%, widening the trade surplus. In contrast, non-oil exports declined 7.3%, indicating that April's improvement in the trade balance was driven primarily by the energy sector, while parts of the non-oil economy continued to face external headwinds.

The data also reaffirm China's importance as Saudi Arabia's leading trading partner on both the export and import sides, highlighting the Kingdom's deep integration with Asian energy demand and global industrial supply chains.

Overall, April's figures illustrate the resilience of Saudi Arabia's external trade during a period of elevated geopolitical uncertainty. While the published data do not quantify the direct impact of regional developments on trade flows, they suggest that the Kingdom's strategic export infrastructure and diversified logistics network helped support the continuity of energy exports and the overall trade balance.