Saudi Arabia’s exports of chemical and related products declined 51% year-on-year (YoY) to SAR 3.5 billion in May 2026.
Petrochemical exports in May 2026 were the lowest since September 2017, amid the Iran war and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
Compared with April 2026, chemical exports fell by SAR 1.38 billion, or 28%, according to data from the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT).
Chemical and related products accounted for 15% of SAR 22.9 billion in non-oil exports in May.
India was the largest importer of Saudi chemical industry and related products in May 2026, with SAR 340.6 million, accounting for 10% of total exports. The UAE followed with SAR 340 million.
Top Importers of Saudi Arabia’s Chemical Products in May (SAR mln)
Country
Value
% to Total
India
340.6
9.7%
UAE
340
9.7%
Thailand
306.9
8.8%
Brazil
298.3
8.5%
USA
228.8
6.5%
Turkey
204.8
5.8%
Oman
156.1
4.5%
Belgium
125.5
3.6%
Yemen
122.7
3.5%
Tanzania
122.6
3.5%
Others
1,256.5
35.9%
Total
3,502.8
100%
Saudi Arabia’s imports of chemical industry products and related goods reached SAR 5.95 billion in May, down 23% YoY.
Chemical imports accounted for 9% of the total imports, reaching SAR 67.8 billion.
Imports of Chemicals Related Products (SAR mln)*
Month
2025
2026
Change (%)
% of Total
January
6249.4
6451.9
+3%
8%
February
6400.9
6020.4
(6%)
8%
March
7043.9
5752.7
(18%)
10%
April
7224.8
6538.6
(9%)
9%
May
7697.8
5951.4
(23%)
9%
June
6049.6
—
—
—
July
7054.1
—
—
—
August
6684.3
—
—
—
September
6709.5
—
—
—
October
6681.0
—
—
—
November
6564.4
—
—
—
December
6269.9
—
—
—
Saudi Arabia’s exports of chemical and related products declined 51% year-on-year (YoY) to SAR 3.5 billion in May 2026.
Petrochemical exports in May 2026 were the lowest since September 2017, amid the Iran war and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
Compared with April 2026, chemical exports fell by SAR 1.38 billion, or 28%, according to data from the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT).
Chemical and related products accounted for 15% of SAR 22.9 billion in non-oil exports in May.
India was the largest importer of Saudi chemical industry and related products in May 2026, with SAR 340.6 million, accounting for 10% of total exports. The UAE followed with SAR 340 million.
Top Importers of Saudi Arabia’s Chemical Products in May (SAR mln)
Country
Value
% to Total
India
340.6
9.7%
UAE
340
9.7%
Thailand
306.9
8.8%
Brazil
298.3
8.5%
USA
228.8
6.5%
Turkey
204.8
5.8%
Oman
156.1
4.5%
Belgium
125.5
3.6%
Yemen
122.7
3.5%
Tanzania
122.6
3.5%
Others
1,256.5
35.9%
Total
3,502.8
100%
Saudi Arabia’s imports of chemical industry products and related goods reached SAR 5.95 billion in May, down 23% YoY.
Chemical imports accounted for 9% of the total imports, reaching SAR 67.8 billion.
Imports of Chemicals Related Products (SAR mln)*
Month
2025
2026
Change (%)
% of Total
January
6249.4
6451.9
+3%
8%
February
6400.9
6020.4
(6%)
8%
March
7043.9
5752.7
(18%)
10%
April
7224.8
6538.6
(9%)
9%
May
7697.8
5951.4
(23%)
9%
June
6049.6
—
—
—
July
7054.1
—
—
—
August
6684.3
—
—
—
September
6709.5
—
—
—
October
6681.0
—
—
—
November
6564.4
—
—
—
December
6269.9
—
—
—
