Doha, March 29 (QNA) - Qatar's merchandise trade balance, representing the difference between total exports and imports during February, recorded a surplus of QAR 13 bn, down by QAR 4.6 bn (26.4%) compared with the same month in 2025, while it increased by QAR 0.9 bn (7.1%) compared with January 2026.

Data from the National Planning Council (NPC) revealed that total Qatari exports, including domestically produced goods and re-exports, reached approximately QAR 24.2 bn, down 13.5% compared with February 2025, and down 3.6% compared with January 2026.

On the other hand, total merchandise imports during February reached around QAR 11.2 bn, up 8.3% compared with the same month in 2025, and down 13.6% compared with January 2026.

Comparing February 2026 with February 2025, exports of oil gases and other gaseous hydrocarbons (including liquefied natural gas, condensates, propane, butane, etc.) totaled approximately QAR 12.9 bn, down 21.8%, while exports of crude petroleum oils and oils obtained from bituminous minerals reached around QAR 3.5 bn, down 23.3%, and exports of non-crude petroleum oils and oils obtained from bituminous minerals totaled roughly QAR 2.1 bn, down 5.8%.

By main export destinations, China led Qatari exports during February 2026 with approximately QAR 4.5 bn (18.6%) of total exports, followed by India with QAR 3.7 bn (15.3%), and the United Arab Emirates with QAR 2.1 bn (8.9%).

Regarding imports, comparing February 2026 with the same month in 2025, motor vehicles and other vehicles principally designed for the transport of persons were the top merchandise import, totaling approximately QAR 1.2 bn, up 31.5%, followed by jet engines, gas turbines, and other gas-powered turbines and their parts at approximately QAR 0.4 bn, down 59.5%, then telephone or telegraph line apparatus, including network transmission equipment and parts at around QAR 0.3 bn, up 38.9%.

  By main countries of origin, China led Qatar's imports in February 2026 with approximately QAR 2 bn (18%), followed by the United States of America with QAR 1.3 bn (11.4%), and the United Arab Emirates with QAR 0.8 bn (7.3%). (QNA)