The Oman Minerals Trading Company has launched its first integrated shipment of Omani chromite ore through Sohar Port, with a cargo exceeding 50,000 tonnes. The milestone marks a new chapter in the marketing and export of Omani chromite ore. Meanwhile, the average selling price of gypsum exports rose by 8% compared with the same period last year.

The chromite shipment brought together several grades of Omani ore in a single consignment, enabling the company to meet the requirements of a wider range of buyers and factories. The move is intended to expand its customer base and open new marketing channels for Omani chromite ore in global markets.

Marketing activities covered Asian and European markets and included direct engagement with factories using Omani chromite ore for the first time. This supports market diversification, provides direct access to end users and creates opportunities to build long term commercial relationships.

In the gypsum sector, the company marketed and exported more than 1.8 million tonnes to 11 countries aboard more than 32 vessels departing from Salalah Port. The average selling price rose by 8% compared with the same period last year.

Gypsum export destinations included several Gulf markets, including Kuwait. The company also expanded into new African markets and resumed exports to South Korea as part of efforts to diversify destinations and reduce reliance on a limited number of markets.

Hussain bin Ali Al Lawati, Chairman of the Oman Minerals Trading Company, said the launch of the integrated chromite ore shipment marked an important step in developing markets for Omani minerals. He noted that market diversification and direct access to consumers are central to the company’s marketing strategy.

He added that the results achieved in gypsum exports, including the increase in the average selling price and the expansion of the company’s market base, demonstrate the value of a more integrated approach to marketing and export operations. He said the priority is to achieve the highest possible commercial value for Omani mineral resources while continuing to meet the needs of the domestic market.

He also said the company is working to support the growth of mineral related manufacturing industries in Oman by balancing exports with the supply requirements of local industries. This will help increase the added value of mineral resources and support related investment.

The Oman Minerals Trading Company, a subsidiary of Minerals Development Oman, is responsible for marketing and exporting gypsum and chromite ore. It centrally manages export operations and negotiates with buyers in overseas markets.

The company began its commercial operations by exporting its first gypsum shipments through Salalah Port as part of its mandate to manage gypsum and chromite ore exports from Oman.

The company was established under Ministerial Decision No. 18/2025, which granted it the exclusive right to export gypsum and chromite ore from June 2026. Domestic sales remain outside the scope of its mandate.

Through its centralised export model, the company aims to unify marketing and negotiation processes, improve access to markets and buyers and enhance transparency and competitiveness in export marketing. This supports the commercial value of Omani mineral resources in global markets.