Saudi Press

Saudi Arabia and the world
Saturday, Apr 11, 2026

48.5% increase in value of Saudi international trade in a year

48.5% increase in value of Saudi international trade in a year

The value of Saudi Arabia’s international trade posted a new record with an annual increase of 48.5 percent after its volume reaching SR516 billion in the first quarter of 2022.
The annual increase in the value of international trade during the year amounted to SR168.6 billion up from SR347.4 billion in the first quarter of 2021 reaching SR516 billion in the first quarter of this year.

International trade recorded continuous growth during the past five years. It rose by 11.1 percent from SR333.094 million to SR370.290 million in 2018.

The increase in 2019 was 3 percent, reaching SR381.279 million, and it jumped in 2020 by 15 percent reaching SR324.053 9 million and in 2021 it increased by 7.2 percent, amounting to SR347.423 million while the increase in 2022 was by 48.5 percent, reaching SR516.051 million.

The Kingdom’s merchandise exports registered a record increase as well, with an annual rise of 72.7 percent, to register exports worth SR359.2 billion, which is the largest value of quarterly exports during the past five years.

The value of annual exports reached SR207.373.8 million in 2017; an increase 17.8 percent in 2018 reaching SR244.235.0 million; an increase of 2 percent in 2019 reaching 249.087.3 million, and a decline in 2020 with the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic reaching SR191.673 million, down by 23.1 percent.

The merchandise exports again recorded a rise in 2021 reaching SR208.031 million, an increase of 8.5 percent, and posted the highest rise during the current year, reaching SR359.276 million.

The Kingdom’s merchandise imports increased during the year 2022 by 12.5 percent, recording an import value of SR156.775 million during the first quarter of this year, which is the largest relative increase recorded by quarterly imports.

Merchandise imports rose from SR125.720 million in 2017 to SR126.055 million in 2018, an increase of 0.3 percent, and rose in 2019 to SR132.191.8 million with a growth of 4.9 percent, to rise in 2020 slightly and reach SR132.380 million, with a relative increase of 0.1 percent, while it rose in 2021 to 139.392 million, an increase of 5.3 percent, to reach SR156.775 million in 2022.
Newsletter

Related Articles

Saudi Press
0:00
0:00
Close
Strategic Saudi-Bahrain Causeway Closed Amid Security Concerns as Trump Deadline Approaches
Saudi Arabia Keeps Red Sea Oil Exports Flowing Despite Regional Tensions
Pipeline Attack Cuts Significant Share of Saudi Arabia’s Oil Export Capacity
Saudi Business Leader Abudawood Appointed Chairman of Merit Incentives Group
TotalEnergies Confirms Damage at Saudi Refinery Following Security Incident
Saudi Arabia Launches Early Construction Phase for King Salman Stadium Project
Saudi Shift Away from Longstanding Dollar Oil Framework Gains Attention Amid Iran Conflict
Türkiye and Saudi Arabia Resolve Long-Running Transit Visa Dispute
Saudi Oil Capacity and Pipeline Flows Reduced as Supply Risks Intensify
TotalEnergies Reports Damage to Saudi SATORP Refinery Following Security Incidents
Gulf States Assess Prospects of U.S.-Iran Truce as Regional Stability Efforts Intensify
South Korea Resumes Honey Exports to Saudi Arabia Following Sanitary Approval
Saudi Arabia Carries Out Sentences in Eastern Province Following Security Convictions
Saudi Sovereign Wealth Fund Backs King Street’s Regional Credit Strategy
Saudi Arabia Secures World Cup Return as Egypt Celebrates Landmark Qualification
Iran and Saudi Arabia Intensify Diplomatic Engagement Amid Regional Tensions
Russia and Saudi Arabia Open Visa-Free Travel Corridor for Citizens
Saudi Oil Output Capacity Reduced by 600,000 Barrels Per Day Amid Regional Conflict
Saudi Arabia Suspends Operations at Select Energy Sites as Precautionary Measure
Saudi Arabia Halts Operations at Multiple Energy Facilities Amid Heightened Tensions
Global Markets Jolt as Iran Signals Ceasefire Breakdown and Rising Regional Tensions
King Street Aligns with Saudi Sovereign Wealth Fund to Expand Alternative Investments in Middle East
Attack on Saudi Arabia’s Jubail Petrochemical Hub Raises Global Supply Concerns
Debate Emerges Over Saudi Strategic Decisions as Gulf Cooperation Council Dynamics Come Into Focus
Saudi Arabia Expands Full Workforce Localisation to 69 Professions in Major Labour Reform
Emerging Alliance of Pakistan, Turkey, Egypt and Saudi Arabia Signals New Regional Power Dynamic Amid Iran Conflict
Iran Linked to Strikes Across Gulf States Following Refinery Attack Escalation
Saudi Arabia Voices Concern Over Fragile US–Iran Ceasefire Stability
Starmer Warns Sustained Effort Needed to Ensure US–Iran Ceasefire Holds
Saudi Arabia’s Key East-West Oil Pipeline Targeted Following Ceasefire Announcement
Iran Targets Saudi Arabia’s East-West Oil Pipeline in Escalating Regional Tensions
Trump Warns of Civilizational Stakes as Iran Halts Negotiations
Saudi Companies Expand Remote Work Measures Ahead of Iran-Related Security Concerns
Iran Warns of Strikes on Saudi Energy Infrastructure if US Targets Its Facilities
Iran Urges Civilians to Form Human Shields Around Nuclear Sites as Diplomatic Deadline Approaches
Saudi Arabia Raises Oil Prices to Record Premiums Amid Supply Pressures Linked to Iran Conflict
Key Saudi-Bahrain Causeway Closed Amid Heightened Security Concerns Linked to Iran
Formula One Calendar Gap Explained as Fans Await Next Grand Prix
Growing Strain on the Petrodollar System Comes Into Focus Amid Iran Conflict
Reported Strike on Saudi Arabia’s Jubail Complex Raises Global Energy Supply Concerns
FedEx Introduces New Digital Tool to Streamline Imports into Saudi Arabia
Iran Claims Strike on Saudi Arabia’s Jubail Petrochemical Complex Amid Rising Regional Tensions
Taiwan to Source Oil Shipments from Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea Ports
Saudi Arabia Evacuates Riyadh Financial District as Precaution Amid Regional Tensions
Saudi Arabia Balances Ambitious Economic Vision Amid Regional Tensions and Financial Pressures
Budget Saudi Arabia Reports Strong Full-Year 2025 Financial Performance
Saudi Arabia Expands Investment in Capcom With Stake Reaching Six Percent
Saudi Arabia Assesses Significant Economic Impact From Regional Conflict Involving Iran
US Beef Secures Expanded Market Access in Saudi Arabia
Jordan and Saudi Arabia Declare Absolute Solidarity in Response to Iranian Threats
×