JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia recorded a merchandise trade surplus of SR90.5 billion during the first quarter of 2026, reflecting a 60 percent increase compared with the previous quarter. The surplus grew by more than SR33.9 billion from the SR56.5 billion recorded in the fourth quarter of 2025.

According to the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) in its March International Trade Bulletin, the Kingdom’s trade surplus also increased 43.7 percent year-on-year, rising by more than SR27 billion compared with the first quarter of 2025, when it stood at approximately SR63 billion.

The positive momentum continued in March 2026, when the monthly trade surplus jumped 200.9 percent from February, increasing by more than SR38 billion to reach around SR57.5 billion, compared with approximately SR19.1 billion in the previous month.

Saudi Arabia’s total international trade volume exceeded SR535 billion during the first quarter of 2026, representing an annual increase of 4.5 percent, or nearly SR22.9 billion, compared with SR512.3 billion recorded during the same period last year.

Merchandise exports reached approximately SR312.8 billion, while imports totaled around SR222.3 billion. National exports, including both oil and non-oil products, amounted to SR274.5 billion during the quarter.

The report also highlighted strong growth in re-exports, which exceeded SR38 billion in the first quarter. This represented an annual increase of 32.9 percent, rising by more than SR9 billion compared with the SR28.8 billion recorded in the corresponding period of 2025.

Asian markets remained the largest destination for Saudi exports, importing goods worth more than SR229.2 billion. Europe followed with exports exceeding SR47 billion, while Africa imported goods valued at SR22.5 billion and the Americas accounted for approximately SR12.6 billion.

China continued to rank as Saudi Arabia’s largest export destination during the first quarter of 2026, importing Saudi goods worth SR44.8 billion.

For non-oil exports, including re-exports, shipments were processed through 32 land, sea, and air customs ports, with a combined value exceeding SR86.1 billion. King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah handled the largest share, processing exports worth SR17.5 billion, followed by Jeddah Islamic Port, which recorded exports exceeding SR12 billion.

GASTAT said the results highlight the continued resilience of Saudi Arabia’s foreign trade, supported by sustained growth in national exports and re-exports, expanding commercial activity, and stronger trade relationships with international markets.