Overall goods exports in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia grew by 64.0 % in March 2021 compared to March 2020. Exports totaled SR74.7 billion in March 2021, up from SR45.6 billion in March 2020. This growth was mostly due to an increase in oil exports of SR22.4 billion, or 75.0 %, over the same time.

As a result, the proportion of oil shipments in overall exports climbed from 65.6% (March 2020) to 70.0 % (March 2021). As per the General Authority for Statistics, overall merchandise exports climbed by SR 8.9 billion, or 13.6 %, compared to the earlier month (February 2021)(GASTAT).

Non-oil exports climbed by 42.9 % year on year in March 2021, reaching SR22.4 billion, up from SR15.7 billion in March 2020.

'Plastics and Rubber and Articles Thereof' (33.6 % of non-oil merchandise exports) climbed by 57.8 % (SR2.8 billion) from March 2020, whereas 'Products of the Chemical or Allied Industries' (27.9 % of non-oil merchandise exports) climbed by 28.5 % (SR1.4 billion).

Non-oil exports grew by SR3.8 billion in February 2021 compared to last month (February 2021)(20.2%).

In March 2021, merchandise imports climbed by 14.0 % (SR6.1 billion). Imports totaled SR49.4 billion in March 2021, up from SR43.3 billion in March 2020.

This rise was responsible for the increase in numerous industries as compared to March 2020, most notably 'Vehicles and Associated Transport Equipment' (30.3 %) and 'Pearls; Precious Stones; Imitation Jewelry' (29.3 %) (354.9%). Imports grew by SR9.0 billion or 2% compared to last month (February 2021)(22.4%).

The proportion of non-oil exports to imports climbed to 45.3 % in March 2021 from 36.1 % in March 2020, owing to greater growth in non-oil exports (42.9 %) than in imports (14.0%) during that period.

In March 2021, Saudi Arabia's exports to China were SR14.3 billion, becoming China the country's primary export destination. Japan and India came in second and third, with SR7.1 billion and SR6.1 billion, respectively.

South Korea, the UAE, the US, Egypt, the Netherlands, Bahrain, and Taiwan were other top ten destinations. Saudi Arabia's exports to the ten nations were SR49.9 billion, accounting for 66.7% of total exports.

In March 2021, Saudi Arabia's imports from China were SR9.4 billion, becoming China the country's primary source of imports. The United Arab Emirates and the United States came in second and third, with SR4.9 billion and SR4.6 billion in imports, respectively. Other nations in the top ten for imports were India, Japan, Germany, Italy, France, the United Kingdom, and Egypt. Saudi Arabia's imports from the ten nations were SR31.8 billion, accounted for 64.4 % of total imports.

In March 2021, the Kingdom received SR12.6 billion riyals in imports from the Jeddah Islamic Sea Port, accounting for 25.5% of total imports.

Other important ports of entry for imports included King Abdulaziz Port (20.3%), King Khalid International Airport (12.0%), Bat'ha (7.4%), and King Fahad Airport (7.2%). These five ports accounted for 72.4% of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's total merchandise trade.