Qatar’s IMUVIup 1.28% in First Quarter of 2026

Qatar’s Import Unit Value Index (IMUVI) reached 112.16 points in the first quarter of 2026, registering a 1.28 percent increase compared to the fourth quarter of 2025 and a year-on-year growth of 3.03 percent against the corresponding quarter of 2025, according to data released by the National Planning Council.

The IMUVI, which measures changes in import prices across key commodity groups, tracks 10 primary categories classified under the Standard International Trade Classification (SITC4). The latest figures indicate a broad-based rise in import values across most sectors, reflecting continued economic activity, changing global commodity prices, and sustained domestic demand.

A sequential analysis comparing the first quarter of 2026 with the fourth quarter of 2025 showed increases across nine of the 10 commodity groups monitored by the index.

The strongest quarterly growth was recorded in commodities and transactions not classified elsewhere, which surged by 18.44 percent. The sharp increase highlights rising import values in specialised or non-traditional tradecategories.

Prices for mineral fuels, lubricants, and related materials rose by 2.84 percent, reflecting continued volatility and demand trends in global energy markets. Food and live animals recorded a 2.06 percent increase, while beverages and tobacco advanced by 1.86 percent during the same period.

Additional gains were observed in miscellaneous manufactured articles and machinery and transport equipment, both of which rose by 0.56 percent. Chemicals and related products increased by 0.44 percent, while manufactured goods classified chiefly by material edged up by 0.25 percent. Crude materials, inedible except fuels, also posted a modest increase of 0.20 percent on a quarterly basis.

In contrast, the animal and vegetable oils, fats, and waxes sector was the only category to record a decline, contracting by 0.35 percent compared to the previous quarter.

On an annual basis, comparing the first quarter of 2026 with the same period in 2025, the index also recorded increases across nine commodity groups, highlighting continued upward momentum in import values over the past year.

The most notable annual rise was again seen in commodities and transactions not classified elsewhere, which jumped by an impressive 73.62 percent, significantly contributing to the overall growth of the index.

Animal and vegetable oils, fats, and waxes registered an annual increase of 8.64 percent, while mineral fuels, lubricants, and related materials climbed by 6.87 percent, reflecting the impact of global market price movements and higher import costs.

Chemicals and related products increased by 3.06 percent year-on-year, followed by food and live animals at 2.15 percent. Machinery and transport equipment rose by 1.43 percent, while miscellaneous manufactured articles recorded a 1.29 percent increase. Manufactured goods classified chiefly by material grew by 1.21 percent, and beverages and tobacco posted a rise of 0.85 percent.

Meanwhile, crude materials, inedible except fuels, was the only category to witness an annual decline, falling by 4.89 percent compared to the first quarter of 2025.

The continued increase in the Import Unit Value Index reflects evolving global trade and commodity market conditions, as well as sustained domestic consumption and economic activity in Qatar. The index serves as an important economic indicator that helps assess import price trends and their impact on inflation, trade dynamics, and overall economic performance.