Saudi Arabia-United Arab Emirates Bilateral Trade Analysis 2023
Complete trade statistics: $30.59B total volume โขSaudi Arabia deficit: $5.44B
Saudi Arabia โ United Arab Emirates
$12.58B
Exports (2023)
United Arab Emirates โ Saudi Arabia
$18.02B
Imports (2023)
Trade Balance
$5.44B
Deficit for Saudi Arabia
Total Trade
$30.59B
Combined Volume
Trade Flow Visualization
Direct trade relationship between Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates. Green line shows exports from Saudi Arabia, red line shows imports.
Detailed Product Trade Analysis
Comprehensive breakdown of trade flows by product category, revealing the specialized nature of the Saudi Arabia-United Arab Emirates commercial relationship and competitive positioning in global markets.
Saudi Arabia โ United Arab Emirates Exports
Export Market Intelligence
๐ฏ Strategic Export Focus
Saudi Arabia's export portfolio to United Arab Emirates demonstrates strong diversification across multiple sectors, with petroleum oils and oils from bituminous minerals, not crude: preparations n.e.c. containing by weight 70% or more of petroleum oils or oils from bituminous minerals: these being the basic constituents of the preparations: waste oils representing a key competitive advantage in this bilateral market.
United Arab Emirates โ Saudi Arabia Imports
Import Dependency Profile
๐ฆ Import Strategy Analysis
Saudi Arabia's import pattern from United Arab Emirates reveals strategic sourcingin petroleum oils and oils from bituminous minerals, not crude: preparations n.e.c. containing by weight 70% or more of petroleum oils or oils from bituminous minerals: these being the basic constituents of the preparations: waste oils, highlighting complementary economic structures and potential supply chain optimization opportunities.
Competitive Trade Position Analysis
Market Leadership
Saudi Arabia demonstrates competitive strength in exportingpetroleum oils and oils from bituminous minerals, not crude: preparations n.e.c. containing by weight 70% or more of petroleum oils or oils from bituminous minerals: these being the basic constituents of the preparations: waste oils to United Arab Emirates, leveraging comparative advantages.
Trade Complementarity
The bilateral relationship showsstrongcomplementarity, with each country specializing in different sectors.
Growth Potential
The $30.59B trade volume indicates substantial economic integration with room for expansion in emerging sectors.
Executive Summary: Saudi Arabia-United Arab Emirates Trade Relationship
Key Trade Highlights 2023
- Total Trade Volume: $30.59 billionrepresenting a significant bilateral economic relationship
- Trade Balance: Saudi Arabia maintains a deficit of $5.44 billion
- Export Focus: Saudi Arabia's primary exports include petroleum oils and oils from bituminous minerals, not crude: preparations n.e.c. containing by weight 70% or more of petroleum oils or oils from bituminous minerals: these being the basic constituents of the preparations: waste oils, vessels: light, fire-floats, floating cranes and other vessels, the navigability of which is subsidiary to their main function, floating docks, tugs and pusher craft
- Import Dependencies: Key imports from United Arab Emirates include petroleum oils and oils from bituminous minerals, not crude: preparations n.e.c. containing by weight 70% or more of petroleum oils or oils from bituminous minerals: these being the basic constituents of the preparations: waste oils, metals: gold, non-monetary, unwrought (but not powder), jewellery: of precious metal (excluding silver) whether or not plated or clad with precious metal, and parts thereof
Strategic Trade Indicators
๐ Market Position: This bilateral trade relationship represents a significant global trade partnerships, with complementary economic strengths driving sustained commercial exchange.
Historical Trade Analysis & Economic Context
Trade Evolution Timeline
2019-2023: Recent Trends
Current trade volume of $30.59B represents the culmination of evolving bilateral commercial relationships, influenced by global supply chain shifts and changing economic priorities.
2015-2019: Growth Period
Sustained expansion in bilateral trade driven by complementary economic structures, with Saudi Arabia leveraging its comparative advantages in petroleum oils and oils from bituminous minerals, not crude: preparations n.e.c. containing by weight 70% or more of petroleum oils or oils from bituminous minerals: these being the basic constituents of the preparations: waste oils.
2010-2015: Foundation Building
Establishment of modern trade frameworks and reduction of barriers, facilitating increased commercial exchange and investment flows between the two economies.
Pre-2010: Early Development
Initial stages of bilateral trade relationship development, with focus on traditional export-import patterns and gradual market integration.
Key Economic Drivers
Comparative Advantage
Saudi Arabia's specialization in petroleum oils and oils from bituminous minerals, not crude: preparations n.e.c. containing by weight 70% or more of petroleum oils or oils from bituminous minerals: these being the basic constituents of the preparations: waste oilscomplements United Arab Emirates's demand patterns, creating natural trade synergies.
Supply Chain Integration
Deep integration in global value chains has strengthened bilateral linkages, particularly in petroleum oils and oils from bituminous minerals, not crude: preparations n.e.c. containing by weight 70% or more of petroleum oils or oils from bituminous minerals: these being the basic constituents of the preparations: waste oils.
Market Access & Trade Policy
Favorable trade agreements and market access conditions have facilitated the growth of this $30.59B bilateral relationship.
Trade Pattern Insights
Trade Relationship Outlook
The $30.59B bilateral trade volume positions this relationship for continued growth, supported by technological advancement, evolving consumer preferences, and strengthening economic ties. Key opportunities lie in expanding cooperation in emerging sectors while managing potential supply chain vulnerabilities.
Economic Impact & Strategic Outlook
Economic Impact Assessment
Trade Volume Impact
The $30.59 billion bilateral trade volume represents a significant economic factorfor both economies.
Industrial Integration
Trade flows in petroleum oils and oils from bituminous minerals, not crude: preparations n.e.c. containing by weight 70% or more of petroleum oils or oils from bituminous minerals: these being the basic constituents of the preparations: waste oils and petroleum oils and oils from bituminous minerals, not crude: preparations n.e.c. containing by weight 70% or more of petroleum oils or oils from bituminous minerals: these being the basic constituents of the preparations: waste oils demonstrate deep industrial linkages and supply chain integration.
Trade Balance Effects
Saudi Arabia's trade deficit of $5.44 billion impacts its overall economic position in this bilateral relationship.
Strategic Future Outlook
๐Growth Opportunities
โ ๏ธRisk Factors
๐ฏStrategic Recommendations
- Strengthen cooperation in high-value sectors beyond current trade patterns
- Develop alternative supply chains to reduce dependency risks
- Explore joint ventures in emerging technology sectors
- Enhance trade facilitation and reduce transaction costs
Market Position & Competitive Summary
The bilateral trade relationship between Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates represents a total trade volume of $30.59 billion in 2023. This partnership demonstrates an unfavorable trade balance for Saudi Arabia, with imports exceeding exportsby $5.44 billion.
Export Strengths
Saudi Arabia's exports to United Arab Emirates total $12.58 billion, with competitive advantages in petroleum oils and oils from bituminous minerals, not crude: preparations n.e.c. containing by weight 70% or more of petroleum oils or oils from bituminous minerals: these being the basic constituents of the preparations: waste oils, representing $1.71B or13.6% of bilateral exports.
Import Dependencies
Imports from United Arab Emirates amount to $18.02 billion, highlighting economic interdependence in petroleum oils and oils from bituminous minerals, not crude: preparations n.e.c. containing by weight 70% or more of petroleum oils or oils from bituminous minerals: these being the basic constituents of the preparations: waste oils, with Petroleum oils and oils from bituminous minerals, not crude: preparations n.e.c. containing by weight 70% or more of petroleum oils or oils from bituminous minerals: these being the basic constituents of the preparations: waste oils comprising19.6% of total imports.
The trade relationship reflects broader economic patterns and comparative advantages. The trade deficit indicates Saudi Arabia's strategic sourcing from United Arab Emirates. This partnership is characterized by complementary trade flows, with each country specializing in different product categories based on their respective economic strengths, industrial capabilities, and position in global value chains.
Download Bilateral Trade Data
Access detailed trade data between Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates in multiple formats.
Data Source: CEPII BACI (Base pour l'Analyse du Commerce International) โข Last Updated: January 2025 โข Coverage: 1995-2023

