Brazilian raw zinc gains ground in Saudi Arabia in recent years

Brazilian exports of raw zinc to Saudi Arabia have surged 603% between 2023 and 2025, a durable and accelerating trend that signals a significant new demand center for the base metal. This isn't a minor fluctuation; it's a structural shift in trade flows, establishing Brazil as a key supplier to one of the world's most ambitious industrialization projects.

The multi-year growth trajectory points to sustained, not speculative, demand. For Brazilian producers and global commodity traders, this solidifies a strategic new channel into the Middle East, driven by the kingdom's foundational economic diversification.

Year by year

The trade relationship's momentum is clear from the annual figures. The baseline was established in 2023 with US$ 807,984 in shipments. The following year, 2024, saw a robust expansion, with sales growing 70.3% to reach US$ 1.38 million.

However, the real story is the explosive acceleration that followed. In 2025, exports more than quadrupled, jumping 313% to hit US$ 5.68 million. This step-change indicates that initial contracts and market testing have converted into large-scale, systematic procurement. The growth rate itself has multiplied, underscoring the urgency and scale of Saudi demand for industrial inputs like unwrought zinc.

What's sustaining the move

This surge is not happening in a vacuum. It is directly linked to Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, a massive national plan to diversify its economy away from oil. This involves gargantuan construction, infrastructure, and manufacturing projects, all of which require vast quantities of galvanized steel to protect against corrosion.

Zinc is the primary agent used in galvanization. As the kingdom builds new cities, industrial complexes, and public works, its appetite for zinc is structurally increasing. Brazil, as a reliable and significant commodity producer, is well-positioned to meet this new, long-term demand. The accelerating export numbers suggest Brazilian suppliers are successfully integrating into these new value chains.

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