Egypt-Saudi Trade Hits $5.9 Billion in H1 of 2025

Trade between Egypt and Saudi Arabia surged to $5.9 billion during the first half of 2025, compared with $4.9 billion in the same period last year, according to new data released by Egypt’s Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics (CAPMAS). 

The announcement comes as President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi visits Riyadh, highlighting the deep-rooted ties and expanding cooperation between the two countries.

Egypt’s exports to Saudi Arabia were valued at $1.5 billion, slightly down from $1.7 billion a year earlier. Copper and its products led the way with $237 million, followed by vegetables and fruits at $192 million, while ready-made garments, electrical machinery, and iron and steel also featured prominently among the key export categories.

On the other side, imports from Saudi Arabia saw a sharp rise, reaching $4.4 billion compared with $3.2 billion in 2024. Fuel and mineral oils dominated the flow with $3.3 billion, while plastics, organic chemicals, aluminum, and paper products accounted for much of the remaining value.

Investment ties between the two countries also strengthened. Saudi investments in Egypt climbed to $532 million in the first half of the 2024/25 fiscal year, up from $408.5 million in the same period the previous year. Egyptian investments in Saudi Arabia also inched higher, totaling $116.2 million compared with $107.6 million previously.

Remittances remain a cornerstone of bilateral economic relations. Transfers from Egyptians working in Saudi Arabia reached $8 billion during the 2023/24 fiscal year, down slightly from $8.3 billion in 2022/23. Meanwhile, remittances from Saudis employed in Egypt dropped to $11.6 million, almost half the level recorded a year earlier.

The latest figures come against a broader demographic backdrop: Egypt’s population stood at 108 million as of August 2025, while Saudi Arabia’s reached 34.6 million. Official estimates suggest that around 1.1 million Egyptians were living and working in the Kingdom by the end of 2023, reflecting the strong human and economic linkages that continue to shape the partnership between Cairo and Riyadh.