Doha, January 08 (QNA) - Qatar's merchandise trade balance, which represents the difference between total exports and imports, recorded a surplus of QAR 12.5 billion in November. This marks a decline of QAR 4.2 billion, or 25.1 percent, compared with the same month in 2024, and a decrease of approximately QAR 1.1 billion, or 7.9 percent, 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 QAR 24.5 billion in November. This represents a decline of 8.7 percent compared with November 2024 and a decrease of 4.7 percent compared with October 2025.

Meanwhile, the value of merchandise imports rose in November 2025 to about QAR 12 billion, reflecting an increase of 18 percent compared with the same month in 2024, and a decrease of 1.1 percent 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 QAR 12.9 billion, down 18.7 percent. Exports of "crude petroleum and oils obtained from bituminous minerals" fell to nearly QAR 3.9 billion, a decrease of 7.8 percent, while exports of petroleum oils and oils obtained from bituminous minerals other than crude declined to about QAR 2.3 billion, down 1.3 percent.

In terms of export destinations, China ranked as Qatar's top export market in November 2025, with exports valued at approximately QAR 4.4 billion, accounting for 18 percent of total exports. India followed with about QAR 2.9 billion, or 11.9 percent, while the United Arab Emirates ranked third with roughly QAR 2.1 billion, representing 8.7 percent 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 QAR 1 billion, reflecting a sharp increase of 72 percent. This was followed by jet engines, turbo-propellers, gas turbines, and their parts, valued at approximately QAR 0.9 billion, down 9.9 percent, and electrical apparatus for line telephony or line telegraphy, including network transmission equipment and parts, valued at about QAR 0.5 billion, up 28.3 percent.

Regarding imports by country of origin, China ranked first among Qatar's main import partners in November 2025, with imports valued at QAR 2 billion, accounting for 16.5 percent of total merchandise imports. The United States came second with QAR 1.9 billion, or 15.7 percent, followed by Italy with QAR 0.6 billion, representing 5.2 percent of total imports. (QNA)