Oman’s trade surplus rises 37.2% to OMR3.4 billion by May end

The Sultanate of Oman has recorded a substantial increase in its trade balance surplus, reaching OMR3.4 billion by the end of May 2026. This represents a 37.2 percent rise compared to the OMR2.5 billion surplus observed during the corresponding period in 2025, according to data from the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI).

The growth in the trade surplus was primarily fueled by a 10.1 percent increase in the total value of merchandise exports, which reached approximately OMR10.6 billion by the end of May 2026, up from OMR9.6 billion a year earlier. Oil and gas exports saw an 8.4 percent rise, contributing OMR6.8 billion compared to OMR6.3 billion in the previous year. Re-exports demonstrated the most significant growth, surging by 64 percent to OMR1 billion from OMR623 million in the same period of 2025.

Oman's non-oil exports also experienced a modest increase of 1.5 percent, totaling OMR2.74 billion by the end of May 2026, compared to OMR2.70 billion at the end of May 2025. Meanwhile, the value of merchandise imports saw a marginal rise of 0.8 percent, reaching OMR7.22 billion, a slight increase from OMR7.20 billion during the same period last year.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) continues to be the dominant destination for Oman's non-oil exports, receiving goods valued at OMR645 million by the end of May 2026. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia followed in second place with exports worth OMR283 million, and India ranked third with OMR280 million. The UAE also led in re-export destinations, accounting for OMR432.7 million, with pearls, precious metals, and jewelry forming the largest share of these re-exports.