RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s trade surplus more than doubled to SR25.43 billion ($6.79 billion) in April as rising oil exports and lower imports strengthened the Kingdom’s external balance, official data showed.
The surplus increased 100.8 percent from a year earlier, according to preliminary data released by the General Authority for Statistics. Merchandise exports rose 9.3 percent year on year to SR101.17 billion, while imports fell 5.2 percent to SR75.74 billion.
The increase was driven largely by stronger oil shipments, with exports in this area rising 11.7 percent compared with April 2025. Oil accounted for 68.8 percent of total exports during the month, up from 67.4 percent a year earlier.
The trade performance also reflected growth in non-oil exports and lower imports, underscoring the Kingdom’s ongoing efforts to diversify its economy under Vision 2030.
“The ratio of non-oil exports (including re-exports) to imports increased in April 2026, reaching 41.6 percent compared with 37.8 percent in April 2025. This increase was driven by a 4.5 percent increase in non-oil exports, alongside a 5.2 percent decrease in imports over the same period,” said GASTAT.
