Oman trade surplus steady at $4bn despite drop in oil, gas exports

JEDDAH: Oman’s trade surplus held steady at 1.54 billion Omani rials ($4.01 billion) in the first quarter of 2026, as imports fell faster than exports, preliminary data showed. Total merchandise exports fell 8.5 percent year-on-year to 5.3 billion rials, while imports declined 11.7 percent to 3.8 billion rials, according to preliminary data from the National Centre for Statistics and Information. The latest figures highlight the resilience of Oman’s external trade position despite weaker hydrocarbon exports, with lower import costs helping to preserve a sizable trade surplus.

Raccontata datimesofoman.comarabnews.com