Saudi Non-oil Exports Rise to SR20.8 bln, in July

Saudi non-oil exports increased by 17.9%, in July 2021 compared to July 2020, recording SR20.8 billion compared to 17.6 billion, the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) data showed, on Wednesday.

It Attributed the significant increase to the impact of commodity exports, last year, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, which affected the international trade traffic, in addition to the travel ban.

Among the most important exported commodities are plastics, rubber and their products, which constituted 37.6% of the total non-oil exports, as it increased by 47.7%, amounting to SR2.5 billion.

Chemicals and related industries’, constituted 31.3% of total non-oil exports, as it increased by 21.4% to SR1.1 billion, in July 2020.

Meanwhile, the value of non-oil exports declined compared to the previous month of June 2021, by SR2.9 billion or 12.3%.

Imports, in July 2021, rose 13.2% to SR5.3 billion, with a value of SR45.6 billion, in July 2021, compared to SR40.3 billion, in July 2020, as a result of higher commodity prices compared to July 2020.

The most influential commodities were ‘transportation equipment and its spare parts’, accounting for 112.9% and ‘products of the chemicals and related industries’ which accounted for 18.7%.

The value of imports also declined compared to June 2021, by SR4.1 billion, or 3.1%.