Strait of Hormuz Blockade: China's March Crude Oil Imports from Middle East Plummet by 25%
Due to the near-blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, China's crude oil imports from the Middle East in March decreased by 25% year-on-year, with significant drops from Saudi Arabia and Iraq. China is now intensifying alternative procurement from Russia and Brazil.
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- 📰 Published: April 21, 2026 at 15:14
- 🔍 Collected: April 21, 2026 at 15:32 (17 min after Published)
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Central News Agency
(Central News Agency reporter Liao Wen-chi, Taipei, 21st) Affected by the near-blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, China's crude oil purchases from the Middle East have stalled. The latest statistics from China's General Administration of Customs show that in March, China's crude oil imports from six Middle Eastern countries decreased by 25% compared to the same period last year, with four countries experiencing a decline in crude oil imports.
According to reports from Chinese media Caixin and Nikkei Chinese, based on trade statistics for March (denominated in US dollars) released by China's General Administration of Customs on the 20th, China imported 122.6 million barrels of crude oil from six Middle Eastern countries (Saudi Arabia, Iraq, United Arab Emirates, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar) in March, a 25% decrease from March 2025.
Among the six Middle Eastern countries, which account for 30% to 40% of China's total crude oil imports, four experienced a decline. Saudi Arabia decreased by 30.7%, Iraq by 46%, Kuwait by 52.3%, and Qatar by 64.5%. Imports from the United Arab Emirates remained largely unchanged, while imports from Oman significantly increased by 44%. Oman's oil terminals are outside the Strait of Hormuz.
China is the world's largest crude oil importer, with 70% of its domestic consumption relying on imports. Due to Iran's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, tanker navigation is restricted. Overall, China's crude oil imports in March were approximately 362 million barrels, a slight decrease of 2% compared to the same period last year.
China imported the most crude oil from Russia in March, with a 14% increase, a smaller growth rate compared to 34% in February. Its share in total imports also dropped to 20%, a decrease of 2 percentage points from February. With the US easing sanctions on Russian oil in mid-March, other countries may increase their purchases of Russian crude oil.
The report points out that in addition to countries like Saudi Arabia and Iraq, China has also been purchasing Iranian crude oil, which is subject to US sanctions. Malaysia and Indonesia are considered transshipment hubs for Iranian crude oil. In March, China's crude oil imports from Malaysia decreased by 39%, a further expansion of the decline from February.
China is expected to intensify alternative procurement from regions outside the Middle East. For example, China's crude oil imports from Brazil significantly increased in March, reaching 2.5 times that of the same period last year. (Editor: Chen Kai-yu) 1150421
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(Central News Agency reporter Liao Wen-chi, Taipei, 21st) Affected by the near-blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, China's crude oil purchases from the Middle East have stalled. The latest statistics from China's General Administration of Customs show that in March, China's crude oil imports from six Middle Eastern countries decreased by 25% compared to the same period last year, with four countries experiencing a decline in crude oil imports.
According to reports from Chinese media Caixin and Nikkei Chinese, based on trade statistics for March (denominated in US dollars) released by China's General Administration of Customs on the 20th, China imported 122.6 million barrels of crude oil from six Middle Eastern countries (Saudi Arabia, Iraq, United Arab Emirates, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar) in March, a 25% decrease from March 2025.
Among the six Middle Eastern countries, which account for 30% to 40% of China's total crude oil imports, four experienced a decline. Saudi Arabia decreased by 30.7%, Iraq by 46%, Kuwait by 52.3%, and Qatar by 64.5%. Imports from the United Arab Emirates remained largely unchanged, while imports from Oman significantly increased by 44%. Oman's oil terminals are outside the Strait of Hormuz.
China is the world's largest crude oil importer, with 70% of its domestic consumption relying on imports. Due to Iran's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, tanker navigation is restricted. Overall, China's crude oil imports in March were approximately 362 million barrels, a slight decrease of 2% compared to the same period last year.
China imported the most crude oil from Russia in March, with a 14% increase, a smaller growth rate compared to 34% in February. Its share in total imports also dropped to 20%, a decrease of 2 percentage points from February. With the US easing sanctions on Russian oil in mid-March, other countries may increase their purchases of Russian crude oil.
The report points out that in addition to countries like Saudi Arabia and Iraq, China has also been purchasing Iranian crude oil, which is subject to US sanctions. Malaysia and Indonesia are considered transshipment hubs for Iranian crude oil. In March, China's crude oil imports from Malaysia decreased by 39%, a further expansion of the decline from February.
China is expected to intensify alternative procurement from regions outside the Middle East. For example, China's crude oil imports from Brazil significantly increased in March, reaching 2.5 times that of the same period last year. (Editor: Chen Kai-yu) 1150421
Choose to stand with facts, every sponsorship is a force to protect press freedom.
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The text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and used without authorization.