Oman’s trade surplus narrows on lower oil exports

Oman posted a trade balance surplus at the end of December 2025, but it was lower than that of the same period the previous year, following a fall in exports and a rise in imports, according to official data.

The sultanate posted a surplus of OMR6.1 billion ($15.9 billion), compared with OMR8.3 billion by the end of December 2024, the state-run Oman News Agency reported, quoting data released by the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI).

Total merchandise exports stood at OMR23.3 billion by the end of 2025, down 7 percent year on year. However, merchandise imports increased by nearly 3 percent annually to OMR17.2 billion.

The decline in export earnings was primarily driven by lower oil and gas export revenues, which declined by 15 percent to OMR14.5 billion, compared with OMR17.1 billion recorded by the end of December 2024.

Non-oil merchandise exports rose 7.5 percent year on year to OM 6.9 billion.

The UAE remained the top destination for Oman’s non-oil exports, with shipments valued at OMR1.3 billion, up 25 percent year on year. The Emirates also topped the list of re-export destinations, with a value of OMR724 million. 

Saudi Arabia ranked second with non-oil exports at OMR1.1 billion, followed by India at OMR699 million.

Iran ranked second among re-export destinations, with OMR365 million, while the UK ranked third with OMR207 million. 

Earlier this month, a US-Israel strike on Iran killed the supreme leader, Ayatollah Khomeini. Oman has been directly affected by the conflict that has widened across the region, with disruptions to air travel and concerns about oil supply.

• Oman contends with Iran war passenger backlog
• Oman’s first listed mutual fund raises $70m in IPO
• OQEP plans fourth-quarter dividend despite revenue fall