Oman recorded a trade surplus of 2.09 billion Omani rials ($5.4 billion) by the end of April 2026, nearly unchanged from 2.11 billion rials in the same period of 2025, as merchandise exports continued to outpace imports during the first four months of the year, according to preliminary data from the National Centre for Statistics and Information.
Merchandise Trade Overview
Total merchandise exports reached 7.6 billion rials by the end of April, while imports stood at 5.5 billion rials, resulting in a trade surplus exceeding 2 billion rials. Oil and gas exports fell 7.5 percent to 4.7 billion rials, compared with 5.1 billion rials a year earlier. Non-oil exports amounted to 2.1 billion rials, down from 2.2 billion rials in the corresponding period of 2025.
Re-exports Surge 66.8 Percent
“The value of re-exports from the Sultanate of Oman rose to 770 million rials by the end of April 2026, compared with 462 million rials during the same period in 2025, achieving growth of 66.8 percent,” the Oman News Agency reported. This sharp increase highlights Oman’s growing role as a re-export hub in the Gulf region.
Key Trading Partners
The UAE was the top destination for Oman’s non-oil exports, valued at 480 million rials, followed by Saudi Arabia at 233 million rials and India at 214 million rials. The US and South Korea followed with 168 million rials and 160 million rials, respectively. In re-export activity, the UAE ranked first with 331 million rials, followed by Saudi Arabia at 140 million rials and Iran at 98 million rials.
On the imports side, the UAE was the leading exporter to Oman, with goods valued at 1.5 billion rials, followed by China at 801 million rials and Turkiye at 422 million rials. Imports from Saudi Arabia reached 413 million rials, while imports from India stood at 392 million rials.
Regional Context
The data comes as Oman’s regional neighbors continue to report strong trade activity, with re-exports and non-oil trade playing a larger role across the Gulf. Saudi Arabia’s trade surplus more than doubled in April, driven by higher oil exports, while non-oil exports, including re-exports, also increased. The UAE reported that re-exports reached 830.2 billion dirhams by the end of 2025, underscoring its position as a regional trade hub.
