Saudi Arabia's trade surplus surges 53% to SR155 billion in 1H 2026

RIYADH — Saudi Arabia recorded a trade surplus of SR154.72 billion during the first half of 2026, compared to SR101.01 billion during the same period in 2025, according to statistical data issued by the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT). The Saudi trade surplus surged by 53.17 percent year-on-year during the first half of 2026, with the value of foreign trade exceeding SR1 trillion. The increase coincided with a 7.3 percent rise in exports and a 2.7 percent decline in imports compared to the same period last year. The Kingdom recorded an increase in its trade surplus during the first three months of this year, most notably in March, when the surplus surged by approximately 213.7 percent to SR56.49 billion. The second quarter of this year resulted in a trade surplus of SR61.52 billion. The volume of the Kingdom’s foreign merchandise trade increased by 2.82 percent year-on-year during the first half of 2026, reaching SR1.052 trillion, compared to SR1.024 trillion during the same period last year. February recorded the highest level of trade exchange during the first half of this year, at SR183.17 billion, following an increase of approximately 10.3 percent year-on-year. June recorded the lowest level, at SR158.21 billion, representing a 3.86 percent year-on-year decline.The Kingdom’s foreign trade reached SR510.44 billion in the second quarter of 2026, compared to SR542.13 billion in the first quarter of the year.