Kuwait’s trade surplus with Japan reaches $448 million in the first half

Official data revealed that the trade surplus recorded between Kuwait and Japan in the first half of 2026 declined by 72% to $448 million in Kuwait’s favor, compared with $1.6 billion in the same period last year. This decline coincided with fluctuations in global energy and trade markets, escalating geopolitical tensions in the region, and the resulting disruptions to navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.

According to data from Japan’s Ministry of Finance, Kuwait’s exports to Japan fell by 60.9% to $1.04 billion in the first half, down from $2.66 billion in the corresponding period last year. Imports also decreased by 44% to $593 million, compared with $1.06 billion.

Regionally, five Gulf countries recorded a decline in their trade surplus of 27.47% year-on-year during the first half of 2026, reaching $17.64 billion, compared with $24.32 billion in the same period last year.

Saudi Arabia recorded the highest trade surplus among Gulf states in the first half, at $9.7 billion, followed by the United Arab Emirates at $6.04 billion, Qatar at $843 million, the Sultanate of Oman at $606 million, and Kuwait at $448 million.

The value of exports from these five countries to Japan fell by 24.27% to $26.74 billion, compared with $35.31 billion. Saudi Arabia led the group in exports to Japan at $12.1 billion, followed by the UAE at $11.3 billion, Qatar at $1.27 billion, Kuwait at $1.04 billion, and the Sultanate of Oman at $1.03 billion.

Regarding imports by Gulf countries, they declined by 16.49% to $9.15 billion in the first half, compared with $10.95 billion in the same period last year.