Oman posts RO 3.885 billion trade balance by September

MUSCAT: Oman’s trade balance recorded a surplus of RO 3.885 billion by the end of September 2025, marking a decline of 42 per cent compared to RO 6.743 billion during the same period in 2024, according to preliminary data from the National Centre for Statistics and Information.
Total merchandise exports fell by 9.1 per cent year-on-year to RO 17.182 billion. The decline was largely driven by a 16.5 per cent drop in oil and gas exports, which decreased to RO 10.913 billion from RO 13.071 billion a year earlier.
In contrast, non-oil merchandise exports rose by 10.3 per cent to RO 5.002 billion, up from RO 4.534 billion, highlighting continued progress in economic diversification. Re-exports, however, edged down by 2.6 per cent to RO 1.266 billion.
Merchandise imports increased by 9.3 per cent to RO 13.297 billion by the end of September 2025, compared to RO 12.163 billion in the same period last year, reflecting stronger domestic demand.
The United Arab Emirates remained Oman’s top re-export destination, with goods valued at RO 945 million, representing growth of 28.3 per cent. The UAE also ranked first as a source of re-exports at RO 484 million and as the leading exporter to Oman, with imports worth RO 3.071 billion.
Saudi Arabia ranked second among destinations for Omani non-oil exports at RO 837 million, followed by India at RO 529 million. In re-exports, Iran came second with RO 225 million, followed by Saudi Arabia with RO 113 million. China ranked second among exporters to Oman, with imports valued at RO 1.348 billion, followed by Kuwait at RO 1.151 billion. — ONA