Oman’s trade balance posted a surplus of RO 6.097 billion by the end of December 2025, narrowing from RO 8.341 billion recorded during the same period in 2024, according to preliminary data released by the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI).
The decline in the surplus reflects a contraction in merchandise exports alongside a modest rise in imports. Total merchandise exports stood at RO 23.264 billion by the end of 2025, representing a 7.1 per cent decrease compared with RO 25.054 billion a year earlier. In contrast, merchandise imports increased by 2.7 per cent, reaching RO 17.167 billion, up from RO 16.713 billion in the corresponding period of 2024.
The drop in export earnings was largely driven by weaker oil and gas export revenues. The value of Omani oil and gas exports fell by 15.2 per cent to RO 14.511 billion, compared with RO 17.114 billion recorded by the end of December 2024. The decline underscores the continued sensitivity of Oman’s external trade balance to fluctuations in global energy prices and hydrocarbon demand.
Despite this contraction in energy exports, the non-oil export segment continued to show resilience. Non-oil merchandise exports rose 7.5 per cent to RO 6.698 billion, compared with RO 6.232 billion in the same period of the previous year, reflecting ongoing diversification efforts within the Sultanate of Oman’s export base.
Re-exports also registered strong growth. Their value climbed 20.3 per cent to reach RO 2.056 billion, up from RO 1.708 billion during the same period in 2024, indicating increased activity through Oman’s logistics and trading networks.
In terms of trade partners, the United Arab Emirates remained the leading destination for Oman’s non-oil exports, with shipments valued at RO 1.311 billion, representing a 25.3 per cent increase year-on-year. The UAE also topped the list of destinations for re-exports, which reached RO 724 million.
Saudi Arabia ranked second among markets for non-oil exports with a value of RO 1.067 billion, followed by India at RO 699 million.
Regarding re-export destinations, Iran placed second with RO 365 million, while the United Kingdom ranked third with RO 207 million.
On the import side, China was the second-largest source of goods imported into Oman with RO 1.935 billion, followed by India, which accounted for imports valued at RO 1.448 billion.
The figures highlight the evolving structure of Oman’s trade flows, with non-oil exports and re-exports increasingly contributing to the country’s external trade performance amidst fluctuations in hydrocarbon revenues. — ONA
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