Oman inaugurates first sugar refinery at Sohar port to boost food security, industrial growth 

OMAN – Oman has officially inaugurated its first sugar refinery at Sohar Port and Freezone, marking a major milestone in the Sultanate’s efforts to strengthen food security and localise strategic food industries.  

The project represents an investment exceeding RO150 million and is expected to play a central role in reducing reliance on imported refined sugar. 

The inauguration ceremony was held under the patronage of the Minister of Finance, H E Sultan bin Salim al Habsi, and was attended by senior government officials, diplomats, and business leaders, highlighting the national significance of the project. 

Zayed bin Ahmed Al Habsi, a representative of the Oman Sugar Refinery Company, described the opening of the Oman Sugar Refinery (OSR) as a landmark achievement, noting that it is the first facility of its kind in the country.  

He said the refinery supports Oman’s food security framework while reinforcing national plans to localise food manufacturing and reduce external dependence on essential commodities. 

Eng. Salim Abdullah Al Ghafeeli, Director General of Food Security at the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Water Resources, said the project aligns with national directives aimed at developing transformative food industries.  

He added that such investments contribute to food stability, economic diversification, and more resilient supply chains capable of ensuring the availability of essential food products under varying market conditions. 

Situated on a 20-hectare site within Sohar Port, the refinery has completed trial operations and achieved Category 2 certification under European standards. Commercial production is scheduled to commence in phases starting January 2026. 

The facility is equipped with advanced European refining technology designed to enhance production efficiency and maintain high-quality standards. Once fully operational, the refinery will have an annual production capacity of one million tonnes of refined sugar.  

This output is supported by extensive storage infrastructure, including capacity for 500,000 tonnes of raw sugar and 70,000 tonnes of refined sugar. 

In addition to supporting national food security objectives, the project is expected to strengthen Sohar Port and Freezone’s industrial ecosystem. It enhances integration between port operations, freezone activities, and industrial supply chains, while creating opportunities for further expansion of food and other value-added processing industries. 

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