MUSCAT: The Sultanate of Oman’s general import price index rose by 14.8 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2025 compared with the same period of 2024, according to data released by the National Centre for Statistics and Information.
The increase was driven largely by higher costs in several key import categories. The machinery and transport equipment group recorded the sharpest rise at 39.4 per cent, followed by chemicals and related materials, which grew by 9.6 per cent, and vegetable and animal oils, fats and waxes, which increased by 9.3 per cent. Prices of miscellaneous manufactured goods also rose by 4.3 per cent, while the beverages and tobacco category posted a 3.3 per cent increase.
In contrast, several commodity groups recorded declines during the same period. The mineral fuels, lubricants and related materials group fell by 8.6 per cent, while manufactured goods classified chiefly by material declined by 4.9 per cent. Prices of inedible raw materials, excluding fuels, slipped slightly by 0.2 per cent, while the food and live animals group remained broadly stable.
On a quarter-on-quarter basis, the overall import price index rose modestly by 0.6 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2025 compared with the third quarter of the same year.
During this period, the most significant increases were recorded in chemicals and related materials, which surged by 18.4 per cent, followed by machinery and transport equipment, which rose by 15.4 per cent. Prices of miscellaneous manufactured articles increased by 10.4 per cent, while vegetable and animal oils, fats and waxes climbed by 8.9 per cent. The manufactured goods classified chiefly by material group also recorded a 6.9 per cent rise, and inedible raw materials, excluding fuels, increased by 3.4 per cent.
Meanwhile, several categories recorded quarterly declines. The beverages and tobacco group fell by 16.4 per cent, while mineral fuels, lubricants and related materials dropped by 15.3 per cent. Prices in the food and live animals group also edged down by 2.2 per cent over the same period. — ONA
Oman Observer is now on the WhatsApp channel. Click here
