MOSCOW, Russia / EuroWire.IO / – Russia’s trade with Oman has reached its highest level in a decade, Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu said on October 20. Bilateral trade increased 22-fold to $1.5 billion during the first seven months of 2026. Shoigu shared these figures during discussions in Moscow with Idris Al-Kindi, who heads Oman’s National Security Council as Secretary General. Notably, this figure already surpasses the $1 billion target the two nations had established for 2027.
Shoigu emphasized that Russia and Oman possess all necessary opportunities to continue this positive momentum and achieve new record trade levels, noting that Moscow intends to enhance cooperation with Muscat across areas of mutual interest and to implement agreements made by their leaders. The meeting was part of ongoing interagency consultations between their respective security councils, with the previous round held in Muscat in November 2025.
According to TASS, a roadmap aimed at expanding security collaboration from 2026 to 2028 was anticipated to be signed during the negotiations. The Russian Security Council’s press service also stated that an objective of these efforts is to strengthen the bilateral legal and treaty frameworks. Shoigu additionally announced plans to establish military attaché offices at the Russian Embassy in Muscat and the Omani Embassy in Moscow, with these initiatives expected to materialize soon.
Food and Energy Resources Fuel New Trade Relations
Over the past four years leading up to 2024, trade between Russia and Oman increased by 62.3%, according to Russia’s Pivot to Asia, which published Shoigu’s remarks. While hydrocarbons remain a vital component, exchanges now also encompass sectors such as agriculture, metals, petrochemicals, machinery, and IT services. Maritime logistics and food commodities have also become integral to the partnership, bolstered by Russian investments in Omani energy and logistics projects that have supported this growth. This trend aligns with a broader rise in Russian non-energy exports in 2026.
In 2025, Russia commenced large shipments of refrigerated meat to Oman to meet rising demand driven by population growth and increasing incomes. The publication indicated that Oman’s domestic poultry consumption is projected at 102,000 tonnes in 2026, with the agricultural sector expected to reach a value of $2.86 billion by 2030. Russian exporters of grain, poultry, and processed foods see significant potential to expand their market share as Oman advances towards greater food self-sufficiency.
Ports and Tourism Boost Diplomatic and Economic Ties
Moscow views Oman as a strategic southern hub for the International North-South Transport Corridor, which links Russia with Iran, Central Asia, India, the Gulf, and East Africa. Russian Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin has highlighted Oman’s geographic advantages for port development, suggesting that these ports could facilitate access to other Middle Eastern markets and Africa. Discussions about the corridor have also taken place during trade talks with India.
Additionally, tourism has grown into a vital channel strengthening bilateral relations. The publication reports that the number of Russian visitors to Oman increased by 87% in 2025, reaching approximately 80,000 travelers. Both countries maintain a mutual visa-free regime, encouraging travel and business exchanges. Furthermore, more Russian companies are establishing subsidiaries in Oman to tap into its special economic zones, with the ports of Salalah, Duqm, Sohar, and Muscat praised for their competitive infrastructure, which further attracts investment and tourism.