DOHA: Qatar posted a trade surplus of QR14.1 billion in December 2025, marking a significant increase in its foreign merchandise trade. This growth is attributed to rising exports and imports, as detailed in the latest data from the National Planning Council (NPC).
In December 2025, the total value of merchandise exports reached QR26.9 billion, showing a 13.7% year-on-year decline from December 2024 but a 9.9% increase from November 2025.
Meanwhile, merchandise imports rose to about QR12.8 billion, reflecting a 0.6% year-on-year increase and a 6.7% rise month-on-month.
Qatar’s Trade Surplus Hits QR14.1bn
Qatar’s trade surplus in December 2025 stood at QR14.1 billion. This reflects a 23.6% decline compared to December 2024, but a month-on-month increase of QR1.6 billion (13.0%) from November 2025.
Key Exports and Their Major Markets
In December 2025, exports of “Petroleum Gases and Other Gaseous Hydrocarbons,” including LNG and propane, fell to QR15.5 billion, a 21.0% drop. In contrast, exports of “Crude Petroleum Oils and Oils Obtained from Bituminous Minerals” saw a slight increase to QR3.8 billion, a 0.5% rise.
China was Qatar’s largest export destination, receiving QR5.2 billion (19.4% of total exports). India followed with QR3.8 billion (14%), while South Korea took third place with QR2.1 billion, accounting for 7.7%.
Qatar’s Trade Surplus Driven by Motor Vehicles and Turbines
The leading imports for Qatar in December 2025 included “Motor Cars and Other Motor Vehicles Principally Designed for The Transport of Persons,” valued at QR1.2 billion, marking a 26.7% increase from December 2024. “Turbojets, Turbopropellers & Other Gas Turbines; Parts Thereof” came in second, growing 16.6% to nearly QR1.2 billion. Imports of “Electrical Apparatus for Line Telephony/Telegraphy, Telephone Sets, and Parts Thereof” ranked third, with a 19.1% rise to QR0.6 billion.
Leading Sources of Qatar’s Imports
China was Qatar’s top source for merchandise imports, valued at QR2.4 billion (18.8% of total imports). The United States followed, contributing QR1.7 billion (13.5%), while Italy ranked third with QR1.0 billion, accounting for 7.5%.
