Oman records trade surplus of OMR1.849bn
Preliminary statistics from the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI) showed a 9.3 percent decrease in the total value of merchandise exports by the end of April 2025, reaching OMR7.516 billion, down from OMR8.289 billion in the same period last year.
This decline was primarily driven by a 15 percent drop in Oman's oil and gas exports, which amounted to OMR4.872 billion by April 2025, compared to OMR5.730 billion in the corresponding period of 2024.
Crude oil exports fell by 16.2 percent to OMR2.911 billion, while liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports decreased by 15.3 percent to OMR752 million. Refined petroleum exports also declined by 11.8 percent to OMR1.209 billion.
In contrast, non-oil merchandise exports rose by 9 percent, reaching OMR2.183 billion by April 2025, up from OMR2.002 billion in the same period last year.
Live animals and animal products led non-oil exports in value, growing by 9.7 percent to OMR133 million. Chemical and related industry products ranked second, rising by 6.3 percent to OMR268 million.
Exports of base metals and related products increased by 5.5 percent to OMR471 million, while metal product exports grew by 2.7 percent to OMR589 million. Plastic and rubber product exports saw a marginal 0.6 percent rise to OMR312 million, while other products surged by 37.1 percent to OMR410 million.
Re-exports declined by 17.1 percent to OMR462 million, with notable drops in metal products (-55.5%), transport equipment (-40.9%), and precious metals/gemstones (-19.8%). However, re-exports of food and beverage products rose by 24.2 percent to OMR60 million.
Meanwhile, total merchandise imports increased by 9.2 percent to OMR5.667 billion. Metal products topped imports at OMR1.521 billion (+1.9%), followed by electrical machinery (OMR975 million, +16.5%) and transport equipment (OMR562 million, +21.3%).
The UAE led Oman's non-oil export destinations with OMR390 million (+24.9%) and re-exports (OMR171 million). Saudi Arabia ranked second in non-oil exports (OMR362 million), followed by India (OMR227 million).
As far as imports are concerned, the UAE remained the top supplier (OMR1.283 billion), followed by Kuwait (OMR623 million) and China (OMR568 million).
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Muscat – Oman's trade surplus fell sharply by 40.4% to RO1.849bn by the end of April this year, compared to RO3.1bn recorded during the same period in 2024, according to preliminary data released by the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI). The decline comes amid a 9.3% drop in the total value of commodity exports, which stood at RO7.516bn till April 2025, compared to RO8.289bn during the same period last year. The drop in exports is mainly attributed to a 15% decrease in oil and gas shipments, which totalled RO4.872bn by April 2025, down from RO5.730bn in 2024. Crude oil exports declined 16.2% to RO2.911bn, while LNG exports fell 15.3% to RO752mn. Refined oil exports also dropped 11.8%, reaching RO1.209bn. Non-oil exports In contrast, non-oil commodity exports rose 9% year-on-year, reaching RO2.183bn by the end of April 2025, compared to RO2.002bn in the previous year. Live animals and animal products topped the list, increasing 9.7% to RO133mn. Chemical and related industry products followed, growing 6.3% to RO268mn. Base metals and their products rose 5.5% to RO 471mn, while mineral product exports grew 2.7% to RO589mn. Exports of plastics and rubber inched up by 0.6% to RO312mn. Exports of other products saw strong growth of 37.1%, reaching RO410mn in April this year from RO299mn in April 2024. Re-exports decline The total value of re-exports declined by 17.1%, falling to RO462mn from RO557mn during the same period in 2024. Re-exported metal products plummeted by 55.5% to RO23mn, while transport equipment dropped 40.9% to RO94mn. Re-exports of precious metals and stones declined 19.8% to RO27mn. Machinery, electrical appliances and sound equipment re-exports dropped 3.5% to RO128mn. Other re-exports slipped 1.9% to RO131mn. However, food, beverage, and liquid product re-exports rose significantly by 24.2% to RO60mn. Imports rise 9.2% The total value of merchandise imports to Oman increased 9.2%, reaching RO5.667bn by the end of April 2025, up from RO5.189bn during the same period in 2024. Mineral products led the list of imports at RO1.521bn, rising 1.9% from the previous year. Machinery, electrical appliances, and related devices followed at RO975mn, growing by 16.5%. Transport equipment imports surged 21.3% to RO562mn. Chemical industry products reached RO544mn, up 12%, while base metals and their products increased 8.9% to RO539mn. Imports of other products totalled RO1.526bn. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) remained Oman's top non-oil trading partner, with exports to the UAE rising 24.9% to RO390mn. The UAE also led in re-exports from Oman (RO171mn) and remained the largest source of imports at RO1.283bn.
Times of Oman
16 hours ago
- Times of Oman
Oman records trade surplus of OMR1.849bn
Muscat: The Sultanate of Oman's trade balance recorded a surplus of OMR1.849 billion by the end of April 2025, compared to a surplus of OMR3.1 billion during the same period in 2024, marking a 40.4 percent decline. Preliminary statistics from the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI) showed a 9.3 percent decrease in the total value of merchandise exports by the end of April 2025, reaching OMR7.516 billion, down from OMR8.289 billion in the same period last year. This decline was primarily driven by a 15 percent drop in Oman's oil and gas exports, which amounted to OMR4.872 billion by April 2025, compared to OMR5.730 billion in the corresponding period of 2024. Crude oil exports fell by 16.2 percent to OMR2.911 billion, while liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports decreased by 15.3 percent to OMR752 million. Refined petroleum exports also declined by 11.8 percent to OMR1.209 billion. In contrast, non-oil merchandise exports rose by 9 percent, reaching OMR2.183 billion by April 2025, up from OMR2.002 billion in the same period last year. Live animals and animal products led non-oil exports in value, growing by 9.7 percent to OMR133 million. Chemical and related industry products ranked second, rising by 6.3 percent to OMR268 million. Exports of base metals and related products increased by 5.5 percent to OMR471 million, while metal product exports grew by 2.7 percent to OMR589 million. Plastic and rubber product exports saw a marginal 0.6 percent rise to OMR312 million, while other products surged by 37.1 percent to OMR410 million. Re-exports declined by 17.1 percent to OMR462 million, with notable drops in metal products (-55.5%), transport equipment (-40.9%), and precious metals/gemstones (-19.8%). However, re-exports of food and beverage products rose by 24.2 percent to OMR60 million. Meanwhile, total merchandise imports increased by 9.2 percent to OMR5.667 billion. Metal products topped imports at OMR1.521 billion (+1.9%), followed by electrical machinery (OMR975 million, +16.5%) and transport equipment (OMR562 million, +21.3%). The UAE led Oman's non-oil export destinations with OMR390 million (+24.9%) and re-exports (OMR171 million). Saudi Arabia ranked second in non-oil exports (OMR362 million), followed by India (OMR227 million). As far as imports are concerned, the UAE remained the top supplier (OMR1.283 billion), followed by Kuwait (OMR623 million) and China (OMR568 million).
Times of Oman
17 hours ago
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Oman records 0.81% average inflation rate in first five months of 2025
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