Welcome to the Rowyal website.
This guide is tailored for exporters and manufacturers focused on B2B trade with Oman’s import ecosystem, particularly wholesale buyers, distributors, and Foodstuffs service operators. Oman remains structurally dependent on imported food products, driven by limited domestic production and consistent demand from retail supply chains, hospitality, and institutional buyers.
For suppliers, the real opportunity is not in broad market entry, but in aligning with high-turnover, import-reliant categories such as packaged foods, dairy products, tomato paste, snacks, and shelf-stable specialty ingredients. Success in this market depends on understanding distributor requirements, compliance expectations, and the purchasing behavior of Omani importers who prioritize consistency, pricing stability, and supply reliability over branding or retail positioning.
Updated May 2026, this table is built from Oman’s latest publicly available import data. (Trading Economics)
| Product focus | Demand level | Latest fact base | Essential export data |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rice | Very High | Oman imported $296M of rice in 2024; HS 1006. Pakistan exported $97.3M of rice to Oman. (The Observatory of Economic Complexity) | Best fit for bulk B2B supply, price-sensitive buyers, and steady containerized shipments. |
| Poultry meat | Very High | Oman imported $218M of poultry meat; HS 0207. Main origins were Brazil ($186M), Ukraine ($13.1M), United States ($9.3M), and Saudi Arabia ($4.42M). | Strong cold-chain category with recurring institutional and food service demand. |
| Cheese | High | Oman imported $112M of cheese; HS 0406. | Works best for chilled shipments, consistent quality specs, and GCC-compliant labeling. |
| Cereals / staple grains | Very High | Oman imported $444M of cereals. | Good fit for large-volume buyers looking for stable pricing and dependable supply. |
| Chocolate / cocoa preparations | High | Oman imported $41.1M of chocolate and $42.7M of cocoa & cocoa preparations. | Better for branded packaged goods, private label, and retail-distribution channels. |
| Edible oils and fats | High | Oman imported $392.54M of animal and vegetable fats and oils. (Trading Economics) | Best for shelf-stable, food service-friendly SKUs with tight margin control. |
| Edible fruits / nuts | High | Oman imported $420.59M of edible fruits, nuts, peel of citrus fruit, and melons. (Trading Economics) | Strong for fresh and semi-processed supply chains, especially importers serving supermarkets and Horeca. |
Canned vegetables, beans, and ready-to-eat meals are highly demanded in Oman. They provide long shelf life and convenience for both households and restaurants.
Tomato paste, especially premium spetic and high-Brix varieties, is a staple ingredient in Omani cuisine. Bulk drums and tins are popular for industrial kitchens and exporters.
Cheese, milk powder, and other dairy items are increasingly imported due to rising demand from cafes, bakeries, and hotels in Oman.
Long-grain rice and specialty grains are in high demand for restaurants and large households. Bulk packaging and reliable supply chains are key selling points.
Packaged sweets, chocolate, and snack foods have a growing market, catering to modern consumers and tourist hotspots.
Oman imports a variety of spices, herbs, and seasonings. High-quality and authentic products are especially valued by foodservice businesses.
Latest NCSI-based estimates show strong recurring demand for fresh vegetables driven by retail + horeca consumption. (May 2026 update, latest available data)
Combined imports remain structurally high due to Oman’s limited domestic agriculture capacity and dependency on GCC supply chains.
Import flows of live animals exceed 400K+ heads annually, with seasonal spikes during Ramadan and Eid periods increasing short-term demand pressure.
Demand volatility increases significantly in peak religious seasons, forcing importers to secure flexible supply contracts in advance.
All shipments to Oman must include commercial registration, certificate of origin, proforma invoice, and bill of lading. Health and quality certificates are mandatory for food products. (ExportPortal)
Labels must show product name, brand, production and expiration dates, country of origin, net weight, and ingredients. Labels must be in Arabic or Arabic/English. (ExportPortal)
Compliance with HACCP and inspection in the country of origin is required by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources. (LinkedIn)
Fruits and vegetables must be pre-registered and receive quarantine approval to avoid rejection. (FreshPlaza)
Meat, dairy, and poultry require Health Certificates and import permits. Halal certification is mandatory for meat. (Trade.gov)
Narcotics, weapons, and certain restricted items are prohibited and may cause seizure or fines. (OMVisas)
Products must have a valid HS Code for correct tariff application. Zero-VAT food product lists are published by Oman authorities. (PwC)
Oman does not enforce strict MOQs but B2B suppliers usually prefer container-based shipments (20ft+). Cold chain logistics are required for frozen/perishable items, starting at 1 container 20ft is optimal.
The Harmonized System (HS) classifies every Foodstuffs by a numeric code used by Oman Customs to calculate duties, apply controls, and route inspections. Oman moved from 6/8-digit national codes to the GCC Unified Tariff (12-digit) format from 1 January 2025, so every familiar 6-digit HS will now have a 12-digit Oman/GCC extension — you must use the 12-digit code when filing.
National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI) reports that Oman’s Import Price Index (IPI) increased by 1.3 % in Q1 2025 compared to the previous year. ([ncsi.gov.om](https://www.ncsi.gov.om/ar))
This highlights that costs for imports, shipping, and raw materials are rising. For the most in-demand foodstuffs to export to Oman in 2026, offering competitive pricing is essential to remain in the market.
Omani consumers and foodservice businesses are highly quality-conscious. Even with a competitive price, low-quality products are quickly rejected. For instance, during Ramadan, buyers prefer reliable high-quality goods over cheaper options. ([timesofoman.com](https://timesofoman.com/article/155385-oman-food-prices-to-remain-steady-during-ramadan?utm_source=chatgpt.com))
Use this formula to estimate a competitive and profitable selling price:
Final Price to Importer ≈ (Cost of Goods + Shipping & Import Costs + Packaging & Certification Costs) × (1 + margin buffer)
Example Scenario: Tomato Paste in drums
This ensures competitive pricing while maintaining quality and profit.
1. Import Price Index (IPI) for Oman — tracks total import cost changes.
2. Consumer Price Index (CPI) for food — monitors purchasing power of consumers.
3. Currency exchange rates (OMR ↔ local currency) — affects final cost.
4. Packaging, certifications, and quality metrics — ensures product acceptance in the market.
India and Oman share a robust trade relationship, bolstered by the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) signed in December 2025 and effective from early 2026. This agreement grants duty-free access to Oman for 98.08% of Indian export tariff lines, covering 99.38% of exports by value, including key agricultural and processed food items.
Bilateral trade reached US$10.61 billion in FY 2024–25, with India’s exports to Oman standing at US$4.06 billion. Agricultural products form a significant portion, with India as Oman’s second-largest supplier, exporting US$556.34 million worth in 2024 a growth from US$477.33 million in prior years. The CEPA eliminates tariffs on items previously facing 5-100% duties, enhancing competitiveness for Indian exporters in Oman’s US$28 billion import market.
Opportunities are particularly strong in foodstuffs, where demand is driven by Oman’s import dependency (over 80% for many staples) and growing population. Key sectors include cereals, fruits, vegetables, dairy, and processed foods, with exports growing at a CAGR of 12.36% for APEDA-scheduled products. Below, we detail top food products and specific updates on meat exports.
Oman’s imports reached approximately 14.6 billion OMR by October 2025, marking a 6.8% increase year-on-year, with food and beverages accounting for about 43% of total imports amid a focus on non-oil diversification under Vision 2040. Total imports in 2025 were valued at around $24.37 billion, with key categories including transport equipment (24%), electrical machinery (18%), mineral products (14%), and base metals (13%), sourced primarily from UAE (27%), Japan (13%), and the US (6%). High-demand sectors like foodstuffs, pharmaceuticals, electronics, and perishables drive air cargo growth, while ports such as Salalah, Sohar, and Duqm handle bulk supply chains for machinery and construction materials. Below, we detail key importers, NCSI supply-use tables, and high-demand global imports for 2026.
Abdul Fatah Mohammed Noor Co LLC specializes in food imports, distribution, and cold storage, handling fruits, vegetables, eggs, and frozen foods, with operations in Muscat and a focus on wholesale supply chains. Al Ainkawi Enterprises imports and exports seafood, processing fish for retail and wholesale, based in Ruwi with strong ties to international suppliers for fresh and frozen products.
Al Suds National LLC imports over 200 SKUs of branded food items, including canned goods and high-quality international brands, serving retail and foodservice sectors across Oman. Oman Foodstuff Factory LLC processes and imports foodstuffs like dairy, bakery items, and packaged goods, emphasizing local distribution and compliance with Omani import standards for consumer markets.
| Importer Name | Focus Products | Location | Contact Info |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abdul Fatah Mohammed Noor Co LLC | Fruits, vegetables, eggs, frozen foods | Muscat | P.O. Box 1375, Ruwi; Phone: 24815658 |
| Al Ainkawi Enterprises | Seafood, fish products | Ruwi | P.O. Box 2148; Phone: 24593591 |
| Al Suds National LLC | Branded canned foods, international SKUs | Oman | Website: alsuds.com |
| Oman Foodstuff Factory LLC | Dairy, bakery, packaged goods | Oman | General inquiries via NCSI directories |
| Areej Vegetable Oils & Derivatives SAOC | Vegetable oils, derivatives | Oman | Phone: Available via ATN Info |
| Atlas Al Sharq Tr. | General food imports | Oman | Part of Yellow Pages listings |
The National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI) provides supply-use tables that detail the origin and consumption of goods/services across Oman’s economy, accessible via their data portal at https://data.gov.om/ for industrial and economic analysis. These tables integrate national accounts data, showing multi-sectoral linkages like manufacturing’s 20% GDP contribution target by 2040, with inputs from mining, energy, and services sectors.
Key stats include Oman’s gross domestic product at constant prices reaching billions OMR in Q3 2025, with energy usage in refineries and private sectors highlighted in downloadable datasets. For 2026 projections, tables emphasize non-oil growth, with imports like petroleum oils showing high growth rates (up 4542124.30% in specific categories) to support diversified supply chains.
Oman’s Foodstuffs growing demand presents a significant opportunity for exporters, particularly in high-demand categories such as dairy, grains, fruits, processed foods, and beverages. By understanding the market’s specific needs, adhering to local regulations, and building strong partnerships with distributors, exporters can successfully tap into the Omani food market in 2026.
With its strategic location in the GCC, Oman offers not only a thriving domestic market but also access to broader regional markets. Exporters who approach the market with a comprehensive strategy and a commitment to quality will be well-positioned for long-term success in Oman’s dynamic food industry.
Export Expert
