The general import prices index (IPI) in the Sultanate of Oman recorded a decrease of 2.5% in the fourth quarter of 2024 compared to the same period of 2023, due to a drop in price index of most of the groups that make up the general index. Meanwhile, there was an increase in the overall import price index by 0.9% in the fourth quarter of 2024 compared to the third quarter of 2024 according to the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI).

Statistics showed that the mineral fuels, lubricants and related materials group decreased by 25.2%, followed by the machinery and transport equipment group, which decreased by 15.8%.

In contrast, the price index of the miscellaneous manufactured articles group rose 14.4%, followed by the animal and vegetable oils, fats, and waxes group by 11.9%, and the food and live animals' group by 9.1%. Price index of the chemicals and related products, nes group also rose by 8%, manufactured goods classified chiefly by material group by 6.4%, and beverages and tobacco group by 6.2%, while price index of crude materials, inedible except fuels group rose slightly by 0.2%.

Meanwhile, compared to the third quarter of 2024, the group of crude materials inedible raw materials, excluding fuel, fell by 16.2%, the group of machinery and transportation equipment group fell by 7.2%, the group of mineral fuels, lubricants, and related materials declining by 6.4%.

In contrast, the Miscellaneous manufactured articles group rose by 22.9%, and the Beverages and Tobacco group rose by 8.9%. The Animal and vegetable Oils, Fats, and Waxes group and the Manufactured Goods Classified chiefly by Material group recorded an equal increase of 6.6%, in addition to the Food and Live Animals group, which rose by 2.6%, and the Chemicals and Related products, nes group, which rose by 1.6%.