Saudi Arabia’s merchandise imports increased 16% year-on-year (YoY) in Q4 2024 to SAR 233 billion, hitting a record high since 2017, according to data issued by the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT).
Meanwhile, merchandise imports rose 5%, or nearly SAR 12 billion, compared to Q3 2024.
Machinery and mechanical appliances, electrical equipment, and parts thereof dominated 26% of total imports. Vehicles, aircraft, vessels, and associated transport equipment came in second with 15%.
The following table illustrates Saudi merchandise in Q4 2024 by segment:
Saudi Imports Value in Q4 2024 (SAR bln)
Segment
Q4 2023
Q4 2024
Change
Change (%)
Machinery and Mechanical Appliances; Electrical Equipment and Parts Thereof
48.22
60.92
+12.70
+26%
Vehicles, Aircraft, Vessels and Associated Transport Equipment
33.41
35.26
+1.85
+6%
Base Metals and Articles of Base Metals
18.76
22.22
+3.46
+18%
Products of Chemical or Allied Industries
16.78
19.70
+2.92
+17%
Mineral Products
15.02
13.03
(1.99)
(13%)
Precious stones or metals and their products, jewelry
8.67
10.58
+1.92
+22%
Food Industry Products, Beverages, and Tobacco
8.67
9.92
+1.25
+14%
Vegetable Products
8.59
9.23
+0.63
+7%
Plastics, Rubber and Their Products
6.28
7.69
+1.40
+22%
Optical Instruments and Photography Devices
6.43
6.70
+0.27
+4%
Others
30.89
37.79
+6.90
+22%
Total
201.73
233.04
+31.31
+16%
China topped the Kingdom’s list of exporting countries with SAR 59.7 billion, accounting for 26% of total imports in Q4 2024. The US and UAE followed, at 9% and 5%, respectively.
Top 10 Exporters to Saudi Arabia in Q4 2024 (SAR bln)
Countries
Value
% of Total
China
59.66
25.6%
US
21.07
9.0%
UAE
12.63
5.4%
India
11.34
4.9%
Germany
10.36
4.4%
Japan
9.48
4.1%
Italy
8.64
3.7%
Egypt
7.12
3.1%
Switzerland
7.10
3.0%
UK
6.52
2.8%
Other Countries
79.11
33.9%
Total
233.04
100.0%
Saudi Arabia’s merchandise imports increased 16% year-on-year (YoY) in Q4 2024 to SAR 233 billion, hitting a record high since 2017, according to data issued by the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT).
Meanwhile, merchandise imports rose 5%, or nearly SAR 12 billion, compared to Q3 2024.
Machinery and mechanical appliances, electrical equipment, and parts thereof dominated 26% of total imports. Vehicles, aircraft, vessels, and associated transport equipment came in second with 15%.
The following table illustrates Saudi merchandise in Q4 2024 by segment:
Saudi Imports Value in Q4 2024 (SAR bln)
Segment
Q4 2023
Q4 2024
Change
Change (%)
Machinery and Mechanical Appliances; Electrical Equipment and Parts Thereof
48.22
60.92
+12.70
+26%
Vehicles, Aircraft, Vessels and Associated Transport Equipment
33.41
35.26
+1.85
+6%
Base Metals and Articles of Base Metals
18.76
22.22
+3.46
+18%
Products of Chemical or Allied Industries
16.78
19.70
+2.92
+17%
Mineral Products
15.02
13.03
(1.99)
(13%)
Precious stones or metals and their products, jewelry
8.67
10.58
+1.92
+22%
Food Industry Products, Beverages, and Tobacco
8.67
9.92
+1.25
+14%
Vegetable Products
8.59
9.23
+0.63
+7%
Plastics, Rubber and Their Products
6.28
7.69
+1.40
+22%
Optical Instruments and Photography Devices
6.43
6.70
+0.27
+4%
Others
30.89
37.79
+6.90
+22%
Total
201.73
233.04
+31.31
+16%
China topped the Kingdom’s list of exporting countries with SAR 59.7 billion, accounting for 26% of total imports in Q4 2024. The US and UAE followed, at 9% and 5%, respectively.
Top 10 Exporters to Saudi Arabia in Q4 2024 (SAR bln)
Countries
Value
% of Total
China
59.66
25.6%
US
21.07
9.0%
UAE
12.63
5.4%
India
11.34
4.9%
Germany
10.36
4.4%
Japan
9.48
4.1%
Italy
8.64
3.7%
Egypt
7.12
3.1%
Switzerland
7.10
3.0%
UK
6.52
2.8%
Other Countries
79.11
33.9%
Total
233.04
100.0%
