Qatar's trade balance posts QR12.5bn surplus in November
Qatar's merchandise trade balance, which represents the difference between total exports and imports, recorded a surplus of QR12.5bn in November.This marks a decline of QR4.2bn, or 25.1%, compared with the same month in 2024, and a decrease of approximately QR1.1bn, or 7.9%, compared with October 2025.According to data released by the National Planning Council, the total value of Qatar's exports - including domestically produced exports and re-exports - amounted to QR24.5bn in November. This represents a decline of 8.7% compared with November 2024 and a decrease of 4.7% compared with October 2025.Meanwhile, the value of merchandise imports rose in November 2025 to about QR12bn, reflecting an increase of 18% compared with the same month in 2024, and a decrease of 1.1% compared with October 2025.A comparison between November 2025 and November 2024 shows a decline in exports of "petroleum gases and other gaseous hydrocarbons" - which include liquefied natural gas (LNG), condensates, propane, and butane - to approximately QR12.9bn, down 18.7%.Exports of "crude petroleum and oils obtained from bituminous minerals" fell to nearly QR3.9bn, a decrease of 7.8%, while exports of petroleum oils and oils obtained from bituminous minerals other than crude declined to about QR2.3bn, down 1.3%.In terms of export destinations, China ranked as Qatar's top export market in November 2025, with exports valued at approximately QR4.4bn, accounting for 18% of total exports. India followed with about QR2.9bn, or 11.9%, while the United Arab Emirates ranked third with roughly QR2.1bn, representing 8.7% of total exports.Comparing November 2025 with November 2024, the category of "motor cars and other motor vehicles principally designed for the transport of persons" topped the list of merchandise imports, with a value of QR1bn, reflecting a sharp increase of 72%. This was followed by jet engines, turbo-propellers, gas turbines, and their parts, valued at approximately QR0.9bn, down 9.9%, and electrical apparatus for line telephony or line telegraphy, including network transmission equipment and parts, valued at about QR0.5bn, up 28.3%.Regarding imports by country of origin, China ranked first among Qatar's main import partners in November 2025, with imports valued at QR2bn, accounting for 16.5% of total merchandise imports. The US came second with QR1.9bn, or 15.7%, followed by Italy with QR0.6bn, representing 5.2% of total imports.