Exports Oman expands national products’ presence to over 130 global markets

Muscat: The Sultanate of Oman’s non-oil exports are seeing an advanced phase of growth and expansion in global markets, supported by the growing competitiveness of national products and the increasing ability of Oman’s companies to access new destinations. This is further supported by an integrated trade and logistics ecosystem, the readiness of ports and land border crossings, the development of systems and streamlined procedures, as the Sultanate of Oman moves towards establishing a sustainable export model that expands the reach of national products and strengthens its position as a trade and logistics hub connecting regional and international markets.
Oman Exports, under the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion (MoCIIP), serves as an integrated platform connecting Omani companies with international markets. It provides market information and data, technical guidance, capacity building, promotion and links with importers, helping companies make more efficient and sustainable export decisions.
Growth in exports, re-exports
Ghalib bin Said al Maamari, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion for Commerce and Industry, affirmed that Oman’s non-oil exports of Omani origin recorded a notable increase, reaching approximately RO 3.6 billion by the end of June 2026, compared with around RO 3.3 billion during the same period in 2025, representing growth of 11.4 per cent, according to data issued by the National Centre for Statistics and Information.
Al Maamari explained that the growth was more concentrated in the second quarter of the year. Exports in the first quarter remained at levels similar to the corresponding period of the previous year, at around RO 1.6 billion, while cumulative growth through the end of May did not exceed 1.5 per cent. Growth then accelerated by the end of June, with exports in the second quarter alone reaching approximately RO 2.0 billion, reflecting a clear acceleration in performance during the quarter.
Al Maamari added that this performance coincided with a 15.3 per cent increase in total merchandise exports by the end of June 2026, reaching approximately RO 13.2 billion. Re-exports also recorded growth of 20 per cent by the end of the first half of 2026 compared with the same period in 2025, representing an increase of around RO 163 million. Meanwhile, the trade surplus rose by 51 per cent to approximately RO 4.7 billion.
This performance is consistent with the non-oil export development strategy, which focuses on diversifying target markets, enhancing exporters’ readiness and increasing the access of Omani products to international markets.
The growth recorded in re-exports stands out as an important indicator of the expanding trade and logistics activity of the Sultanate of Oman and its ability to leverage its strategic location, infrastructure and logistics services to facilitate the movement of goods and connect markets, further strengthening its role as a gateway for regional and international trade.
Ports, border crossings and streamlined procedures
Export and re-export activity benefits from the readiness of Omani ports and land border crossings and their integration with transport and logistics networks, helping facilitate the movement of goods and enhancing companies’ ability to access regional and international markets.
The development of electronic systems and the simplification of procedures related to trade, imports, exports and customs clearance also support greater efficiency in foreign trade. The integration of procedures and electronic connectivity between relevant entities help accelerate transactions and improve the experience of exporters and importers, enhancing the ease of doing business and raising the Sultanate of Oman’s competitiveness in trade and re-export activities.
Omani products today reach more than 130 countries worldwide, expanding their presence in international markets. This has been supported by the quality and diversity of national products, the Sultanate of Oman’s strategic location, the efficiency of its ports and logistics ecosystem, as well as programmes and initiatives aimed at empowering exporters and opening new markets for them.
He affirmed that the Sultanate of Oman is working to build a base of exporters capable of competing and maintaining a sustainable presence in international markets. He explained that the objective is not limited to increasing export volumes, but also includes enhancing the readiness of national companies and making exports a sustainable part of their growth and expansion plans.
He added that the impact sought by Oman Exports is based on identifying target markets, understanding their needs and requirements; and building long-term commercial relationships within them. The exporter support ecosystem focuses on providing companies with market information and data, as well as guidance on standards, technical requirements, certificates of conformity and market access requirements. It also includes direct promotion of products through international exhibitions and bilateral meetings, connecting companies with importers and distributors, as well as capacity-building and export-readiness programmes for various national enterprises.
Diversification of non-oil exports
Mubarak bin Mohammed al Dohani, Director-General of Planning at the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion and the MoCIIP’s official spokesperson, said that non-oil exports amounted to RO 1.611 billion in the first quarter of 2026, equivalent to 15.7 per cent of GDP at current prices, which stood at RO 10.293 billion, compared with 15.2 per cent during the same period in 2025, according to data issued by the National Centre for Statistics and Information.
He noted that the commodity structure of non-oil exports was diversified across five main groups: mineral products; base metals and articles thereof; chemical products; plastics, rubber and articles thereof; and live animals and animal products, led by fisheries products.
According to the latest commodity-level data published by the National Centre for Statistics and Information through the first quarter of 2026, chemical products recorded the highest growth rate at 17 per cent, reaching RO 216 million. Base metals and articles thereof followed with growth of 10.8 per cent to RO 376 million, while exports of live animals and animal products increased by 6 per cent to RO 104 million, reflecting a gradual shift in the sources of growth towards higher value-added manufactured products.
During 2025, the Sultanate of Oman participated in 17 local and international exhibitions and trade events under the umbrella of the Omani Products Promotion Committee (OPEX), resulting in a number of deals, distribution and agency agreements and business opportunities.
Promising new markets
Faris bin Nasser al Farsi, Economic Expert at the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion, said Omani companies have begun expanding their target markets beyond a number of traditional destinations to new and promising markets, including Iraq, East Africa and several Asian markets.
He added that this shift is not limited to the number of new markets, but also extends to how companies enter them. Companies are increasingly seeking to establish direct relationships with importers and conclude distribution and agency agreements rather than relying solely on individual transactions, thereby supporting a more sustainable presence in international markets.
Al Farsi explained that ‘Oman Exports’ works to bridge the gap between exporters and target markets by providing market reports and information, export guides and guidance on documentation and logistics services, alongside connecting companies with international buyers and importers. This helps companies identify the markets most suitable for their products before deciding to enter them.
Food and beverages, manufacturing industries, mineral products, electrical equipment and machinery, construction materials, plastics, chemicals and Omani-origin personal care products are among the sectors with growing opportunities in international markets.
Omani companies expand global presence
Eng Salim bin Nasser al Bartamani, CEO of Areej Vegetable Oils and Derivatives, said the company’s products currently reach more than 40 countries, noting that its production capacity has increased from around 60,000 metric tonnes two decades ago to nearly 240,000 metric tonnes today, an increase of approximately 300 per cent.
He added that the most significant shift has been in the company’s sales structure. While the domestic market previously accounted for around 80 per cent of production, with 20 per cent exported, the situation has now been almost reversed, with around 80 per cent of production destined for international markets.
Al Bartamani affirmed that Oman Exports has enhanced the company’s access to information on markets and export opportunities and helped it explore non-traditional markets, identify target destinations and access data on importers relevant to its products.
Fahmi bin Said al Hinai, Executive Director of Poly Products LLC, said that benefitting from ‘Oman Exports’ has contributed to strengthening the company’s export activity and expanding its reach to new markets and buyers. He explained that connections established through the initiative have helped the company access markets including Armenia and Georgia, as well as buyers and distributors in Africa and East Asia. The company is also looking to enter additional markets in the coming period, including China.