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United Arab Emirates-Saudi Arabia Bilateral Trade Analysis 2023

Complete trade statistics: $30.59B total volume •United Arab Emirates surplus: $5.44B

United Arab Emirates → Saudi Arabia

$18.02B

Exports (2023)

Saudi Arabia → United Arab Emirates

$12.58B

Imports (2023)

Trade Balance

$5.44B

Surplus for United Arab Emirates

Total Trade

$30.59B

Combined Volume

Trade Flow Visualization

Direct trade relationship between United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. Green line shows exports from United Arab Emirates, red line shows imports.

Detailed Product Trade Analysis

Comprehensive breakdown of trade flows by product category, revealing the specialized nature of the United Arab Emirates-Saudi Arabia commercial relationship and competitive positioning in global markets.

United Arab Emirates → Saudi Arabia Exports

$18.02B

2023 Total

Export Market Intelligence

Product Diversity:

Highly Diversified

Market Share:

19.6% top product

1Petroleum 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

$3.54B

19.6% of exports

2Metals: gold, non-monetary, unwrought (but not powder)

$2.66B

14.8% of exports

3Jewellery: of precious metal (excluding silver) whether or not plated or clad with precious metal, and parts thereof

$1.14B

6.3% of exports

4Buildings: prefabricated, not of wood

$289.72M

1.6% of exports

5Vehicles: with only spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine, cylinder capacity over 1500 but not over 3000cc

$242.71M

1.3% of exports

6Boring or sinking machinery: parts of the machinery of item no. 8430.41 or 8430.41

$221.36M

1.2% of exports

7Communication apparatus (excluding telephone sets or base stations): machines for the reception, conversion and transmission or regeneration of voice, images or other data, including switching and routing apparatus

$199.43M

1.1% of exports

8Vehicles: with only spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine, cylinder capacity over 3000cc

$170.64M

0.9% of exports

9Buildings: prefabricated, of wood

$148.17M

0.8% of exports

10Telephones for cellular networks or for other wireless networks

$146.91M

0.8% of exports

🎯 Strategic Export Focus

United Arab Emirates's export portfolio to Saudi Arabia 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.

Saudi Arabia → United Arab Emirates Imports

$12.58B

2023 Total

Import Dependency Profile

Supply Diversity:

Well Diversified

Critical Imports:

13.6% concentration

$1.71B

13.6% of imports

2Vessels: light, fire-floats, floating cranes and other vessels, the navigability of which is subsidiary to their main function, floating docks

$1.05B

8.3% of imports

3Tugs and pusher craft

$773.36M

6.1% of imports

4Vessels: other, including lifeboats other than rowing boats, other than warships

$733.71M

5.8% of imports

5Telephones for cellular networks or for other wireless networks

$595.47M

4.7% of imports

6Vessels: n.e.c. in heading no. 8901, for the transport of goods and other vessels for the transport of both persons and goods

$511.53M

4.1% of imports

7Metals: gold, non-monetary, unwrought (but not powder)

$457.02M

3.6% of imports

8Jewellery: of precious metal (excluding silver) whether or not plated or clad with precious metal, and parts thereof

$365.78M

2.9% of imports

9Insulated electric conductors: co-axial cable and other co-axial electric conductors

$279.01M

2.2% of imports

10Ethylene polymers: in primary forms, polyethylene having a specific gravity of 0.94 or more

$276.75M

2.2% of imports

📦 Import Strategy Analysis

United Arab Emirates's import pattern from Saudi Arabia 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

United Arab Emirates 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 Saudi Arabia, leveraging comparative advantages.

Export Leader in 20+ Categories

🔄

Trade Complementarity

The bilateral relationship showsstrongcomplementarity, with each country specializing in different sectors.

Highly Balanced

📈

Growth Potential

The $30.59B trade volume indicates substantial economic integration with room for expansion in emerging sectors.

Major Partnership

Executive Summary: United Arab Emirates-Saudi Arabia Trade Relationship

Key Trade Highlights 2023

Total Trade Volume: $30.59 billionrepresenting a significant bilateral economic relationship
Trade Balance: United Arab Emirates maintains a surplus of $5.44 billion
Export Focus: United Arab Emirates'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, 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
Import Dependencies: Key imports from Saudi Arabia 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

Strategic Trade Indicators

Trade IntensityHigh

Export DiversificationDiversified

Trade Balance HealthBalanced

📈 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 United Arab Emirates 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

United Arab Emirates'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 Saudi Arabia'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 ComplementarityAsymmetric

Seasonal VariationsModerate

Product ConcentrationLow

Market DependencyModerate

🔮

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.

Economic Significance: High

🏭

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.

Supply Chain Integration: Diversified

⚖️

Trade Balance Effects

United Arab Emirates's trade surplus of $5.44 billion strengthens its overall economic position in this bilateral relationship.

Balance Impact: Well Balanced

Strategic Future Outlook

🚀Growth Opportunities

Emerging Sectors

Technology transfer and innovation cooperation in metals: gold, non-monetary, unwrought (but not powder) present expansion opportunities.

Market Diversification

Beyond current focus on 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, new product categories offer potential for trade expansion.

⚠️Risk Factors

Supply Chain Vulnerabilities

Moderate concentration in key sectors requires monitoring

Market Competition

Global competition 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 may affect future market positioning.

🎯Strategic 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 United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia represents a total trade volume of $30.59 billion in 2023. This partnership demonstrates a favorable trade balance for United Arab Emirates, with exports exceeding importsby $5.44 billion.

Export Strengths

United Arab Emirates's exports to Saudi Arabia total $18.02 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 $3.54B or19.6% of bilateral exports.

Import Dependencies

Imports from Saudi Arabia amount to $12.58 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 comprising13.6% of total imports.

The trade relationship reflects broader economic patterns and comparative advantages. The trade surplus indicates United Arab Emirates's competitive position in this bilateral relationship. 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 United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia in multiple formats.

Data Source: CEPII BACI (Base pour l'Analyse du Commerce International) • Last Updated: January 2025 • Coverage: 1995-2023