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Saudi Arabia's merchandise imports declined by 5% year-on-year to approximately SAR 224.5 billion in the second quarter of 2026, according to official data released by the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT). The figure also reflects a quarter-on-quarter drop of nearly SAR 3.6 billion compared to Q1 2026.
The decline was heavily driven by lower imports of transport equipment, which fell 30% year-on-year to SAR 22.04 billion. Meanwhile, machinery and electrical equipment remained the largest import category at 29% of total imports, despite falling 5% to SAR 64.46 billion. Products of chemical industries also saw fluctuations during the period.
This contraction in imports suggests a potential shift in domestic demand patterns and inventory cycles within the Kingdom. Investors will monitor upcoming trade figures to evaluate the broader economic impact on non-oil GDP growth and Saudi listed companies.
