MUSCAT: The Sultanate of Oman recorded a merchandise trade surplus of RO 2.09 billion in the first four months of 2026, broadly stable compared with RO 2.11 billion in the same period a year earlier, preliminary official data showed.
The value of merchandise exports reached RO 7.6 billion by the end of April, while imports stood at RO 5.5 billion, according to the National Centre for Statistics and Information.
Oil and gas exports, which accounted for the largest share of outbound trade, fell 7.5 per cent to RO 4.7 billion from RO 5.1 billion in the corresponding period of 2025.
Non-oil exports also eased to RO 2.1 billion from RO 2.2 billion a year earlier.
The decline was partly offset by a sharp increase in re-exports, which rose 66.8 per cent to RO 770 million from RO 462 million in the first four months of 2025, reflecting stronger transit and regional trading activity.
The United Arab Emirates was the largest destination for the Sultanate of Oman’s non-oil exports, receiving goods valued at RO 480 million. Saudi Arabia ranked second at RO 233 million, followed by India at RO 214 million.
Non-oil exports to the United States amounted to RO 168 million, while shipments to South Korea were valued at RO 160 million.
The UAE also led re-export destinations, with shipments valued at RO 331 million, followed by Saudi Arabia at RO 140 million and Iran at RO 98 million.
On the import side, the UAE remained the largest supplier to the Sultanate of Oman, with goods valued at RO 1.5 billion during the period.
China ranked second with RO 801 million, followed by Türkiye at RO 422 million. Imports from Saudi Arabia stood at RO 413 million, while goods imported from India were valued at RO 392 million.
The figures showed that higher re-export activity helped the Sultanate of Oman maintain a trade surplus of more than RO 2 billion despite declines in oil and gas exports and non-oil shipments. — ONA
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