Oman Records 256 Million Rial Trade Surplus in Early 2026

The National Centre for Statistics and Information recently released preliminary trade data. Oman recorded a trade surplus of 256 million Omani Rials this January.

The country saw a larger 528 million Rial surplus last January.

General Export and Import Trends

Total merchandise exports reached 1.831 billion Omani Rials by late January. This figure represents a 6.1 percent decrease from the previous year.

Exporters shipped 1.949 billion Rials worth of goods last January. Conversely, total merchandise imports increased by 10.9 percent this year.

Oman imported 1.575 billion Rials worth of goods recently. The country imported 1.421 billion Rials last year.

Oil Decline vs Non-Oil Growth

Lower oil and gas sales directly caused this overall export decline. Energy companies exported 1.109 billion Omani Rials worth of fuel this January.

This massive number reflects a 15.9 percent drop from last year. They exported 1.318 billion Rials of energy products last January.

In contrast, non-oil merchandise exports increased by 15.3 percent this year. Local businesses exported 613 million Omani Rials of non-oil goods recently.

They exported 531 million Rials during the same period last year. Re-exports from Oman also showed positive financial growth this year.

Traders moved 109 million Omani Rials worth of re-exports this January. This activity registered a solid 9.7 percent growth rate.

They handled 100 million Rials in re-exports last January.

Top Global Trading Partners

The United Arab Emirates remains Oman's top non-oil export destination. Omani companies shipped 141 million Rials worth of goods there.

This volume marks a massive 54.8 percent increase from 2025. The UAE also topped the re-export list with 43 million Rials.

Furthermore, Oman imported 442 million Rials of goods from the UAE. Saudi Arabia ranked second for non-oil exports at 92 million Rials.

South Korea followed closely by purchasing 77 million Rials of goods. Saudi Arabia also ranked second in the re-exports category.

They received 25 million Rials in re-exported products. Iran followed them by taking 16 million Rials of re-exports.

On the import side, China ranked second globally. Oman purchased 213 million Rials worth of Chinese goods.

India followed by supplying 113 million Rials in imports.