Saudi Arabia-Japan Bilateral Trade Analysis 2023

Complete trade statistics: $42.24B total volume โ€ขSaudi Arabia surplus: $27.10B

Saudi Arabia โ†’ Japan

$34.67B

Exports (2023)

Japan โ†’ Saudi Arabia

$7.57B

Imports (2023)

Trade Balance

$27.10B

Surplus for Saudi Arabia

Total Trade

$42.24B

Combined Volume

Trade Flow Visualization

Direct trade relationship between Saudi Arabia and Japan. 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-Japan commercial relationship and competitive positioning in global markets.

Saudi Arabia โ†’ Japan Exports

$34.67B
2023 Total

Export Market Intelligence

Product Diversity:
Highly Diversified
Market Share:
95.7% top product
1Oils: petroleum oils and oils obtained from bituminous minerals, crude
$33.19B
95.7% of exports
2Petroleum 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
$737.96M
2.1% of exports
3Alcohols: saturated monohydric, methanol (methyl alcohol)
$243.48M
0.7% of exports
4Copper: waste and scrap
$158.83M
0.5% of exports
5Aluminium: unwrought, (not alloyed)
$89.58M
0.3% of exports
6Copper ores and concentrates
$55.27M
0.2% of exports
7Ethylene polymers: in primary forms, ethylene-alpha-olefin copolymers, having a specific gravity of less than 0.94
$30.33M
0.1% of exports
8Titanium: unwrought, powders
$24.42M
0.1% of exports
9Aluminium: unwrought, alloys
$15.94M
0.0% of exports
10Polyethers: in primary forms, excluding polyacetals
$13.83M
0.0% of exports

๐ŸŽฏ Strategic Export Focus

Saudi Arabia's export portfolio to Japan demonstrates strong diversification across multiple sectors, with oils: petroleum oils and oils obtained from bituminous minerals, crude representing a key competitive advantage in this bilateral market.

Japan โ†’ Saudi Arabia Imports

$7.57B
2023 Total

Import Dependency Profile

Supply Diversity:
Well Diversified
Critical Imports:
14.8% concentration
1Vehicles: with only spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine, cylinder capacity over 1500 but not over 3000cc
$1.12B
14.8% of imports
2Vehicles: with only spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine, cylinder capacity over 3000cc
$1.04B
13.7% of imports
3Vehicles: with only spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine, cylinder capacity over 1000 but not over 1500cc
$909.98M
12.0% of imports
4Vehicles: with only spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine, cylinder capacity not over 1000cc
$706.85M
9.3% of imports
5Vehicles: with both spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine and electric motor for propulsion, incapable of being charged by plugging to external source of electric power
$411.07M
5.4% of imports
6Vehicles: compression-ignition internal combustion piston engine (diesel or semi-diesel), for transport of goods, (of a g.v.w. exceeding 5 tonnes but not exceeding 20 tonnes), n.e.c. in item no 8704.1
$381.71M
5.0% of imports
7Vehicles: compression-ignition internal combustion piston engine (diesel or semi-diesel), for transport of goods, (of a gvw not exceeding 5 tonnes), n.e.c. in item no 8704.1
$155.39M
2.1% of imports
8Rubber: new pneumatic tyres, of a kind used on motor cars (including station wagons and racing cars)
$84.72M
1.1% of imports
9Vehicles: with only compression-ignition internal combustion piston engine (diesel or semi-diesel), cylinder capacity over 2500cc
$76.37M
1.0% of imports
10Rubber: new pneumatic tyres, of a kind used on buses or lorries
$70.02M
0.9% of imports

๐Ÿ“ฆ Import Strategy Analysis

Saudi Arabia's import pattern from Japan reveals significant dependencyin vehicles: with only spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine, cylinder capacity over 1500 but not over 3000cc, highlighting complementary economic structures and potential supply chain optimization opportunities.

Competitive Trade Position Analysis

๐Ÿ†

Market Leadership

Saudi Arabia demonstrates competitive strength in exportingoils: petroleum oils and oils obtained from bituminous minerals, crude to Japan, leveraging comparative advantages.

Export Leader in 20+ Categories
๐Ÿ”„

Trade Complementarity

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

Specialized Exchange
๐Ÿ“ˆ

Growth Potential

The $42.24B trade volume indicates substantial economic integration with room for expansion in emerging sectors.

Major Partnership

Executive Summary: Saudi Arabia-Japan Trade Relationship

Key Trade Highlights 2023

  • Total Trade Volume: $42.24 billionrepresenting a significant bilateral economic relationship
  • Trade Balance: Saudi Arabia maintains a surplus of $27.10 billion
  • Export Focus: Saudi Arabia's primary exports include oils: petroleum oils and oils obtained from bituminous minerals, crude, 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, alcohols: saturated monohydric, methanol (methyl alcohol)
  • Import Dependencies: Key imports from Japan include vehicles: with only spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine, cylinder capacity over 1500 but not over 3000cc, vehicles: with only spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine, cylinder capacity over 3000cc, vehicles: with only spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine, cylinder capacity over 1000 but not over 1500cc

Strategic Trade Indicators

Trade IntensityHigh
Export DiversificationDiversified
Trade Balance HealthImbalanced

๐Ÿ“ˆ 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 $42.24B 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 oils: petroleum oils and oils obtained from bituminous minerals, crude.

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

1

Comparative Advantage

Saudi Arabia's specialization in oils: petroleum oils and oils obtained from bituminous minerals, crudecomplements Japan's demand patterns, creating natural trade synergies.

2

Supply Chain Integration

Deep integration in global value chains has strengthened bilateral linkages, particularly in vehicles: with only spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine, cylinder capacity over 1500 but not over 3000cc.

3

Market Access & Trade Policy

Favorable trade agreements and market access conditions have facilitated the growth of this $42.24B bilateral relationship.

Trade Pattern Insights

Trade ComplementarityAsymmetric
Seasonal VariationsModerate
Product ConcentrationLow
Market DependencyHigh
๐Ÿ”ฎ

Trade Relationship Outlook

The $42.24B 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

๐Ÿ’ฐ

Trade Volume Impact

The $42.24 billion bilateral trade volume represents a significant economic factorfor both economies.

Economic Significance: High
๐Ÿญ

Industrial Integration

Trade flows in oils: petroleum oils and oils obtained from bituminous minerals, crude and vehicles: with only spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine, cylinder capacity over 1500 but not over 3000cc demonstrate deep industrial linkages and supply chain integration.

Supply Chain Integration: Diversified
โš–๏ธ

Trade Balance Effects

Saudi Arabia's trade surplus of $27.10 billion strengthens its overall economic position in this bilateral relationship.

Balance Impact: Export Advantage

Strategic Future Outlook

๐Ÿš€Growth Opportunities

Emerging Sectors
Technology transfer and innovation cooperation 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 present expansion opportunities.
Market Diversification
Beyond current focus on vehicles: with only spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine, cylinder capacity over 1500 but not over 3000cc, new product categories offer potential for trade expansion.

โš ๏ธRisk Factors

Supply Chain Vulnerabilities
High trade imbalance may create supply chain risks
Market Competition
Global competition in oils: petroleum oils and oils obtained from bituminous minerals, crude may affect future market positioning.

๐ŸŽฏStrategic 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 Japan represents a total trade volume of $42.24 billion in 2023. This partnership demonstrates a favorable trade balance for Saudi Arabia, with exports exceeding importsby $27.10 billion.

Export Strengths

Saudi Arabia's exports to Japan total $34.67 billion, with competitive advantages in oils: petroleum oils and oils obtained from bituminous minerals, crude, representing $33.19B or95.7% of bilateral exports.

Import Dependencies

Imports from Japan amount to $7.57 billion, highlighting economic interdependence in vehicles: with only spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine, cylinder capacity over 1500 but not over 3000cc, with Vehicles: with only spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine, cylinder capacity over 1500 but not over 3000cc comprising14.8% of total imports.

The trade relationship reflects broader economic patterns and comparative advantages. The trade surplus indicates Saudi Arabia'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 Saudi Arabia and Japan in multiple formats.

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