Strait of Hormuz Blockade Severely Impacts Exports, OPEC April Output Hits 20-Year Low
Following the de facto blockade of the Strait of Hormuz due to the conflict between the US, Israel, and Iran, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC)'s crude oil production in April fell to its lowest level in over 20 years. While Kuwait and Saudi Arabia's production decreased, only the UAE increased its output.
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- 📰 Published: May 12, 2026 at 09:36
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US-Iran War Key News
Central News Agency
(Central News Agency, London, 11th, comprehensive foreign report) As the conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran led to a de facto blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC)'s crude oil production in April further declined, reaching its lowest level in over 20 years.
A Reuters survey indicated that the 12 member countries of OPEC produced 830,000 barrels per day less in April compared to the previous month, falling to 20.04 million barrels per day. The March figure was revised downwards by 700,000 barrels per day from the previous month due to adjustments in Saudi Arabia's estimation method.
The "OPEC+" group, which includes OPEC and allies like Russia, had eight members that had already agreed to resume increasing production in April. However, due to the outbreak of the Iran war on February 28th and the de facto closure of the Strait of Hormuz, fulfilling the production increase agreement became impossible.
Kuwait saw the largest production decrease within the group in April, reflecting the impact of a full month of export disruptions.
Saudi Arabia and Iraq's production also further declined, but the United Arab Emirates was the only Gulf member to increase production. Like Saudi Arabia, the UAE has export routes that can bypass the Strait of Hormuz, and tanker data also showed an increase in UAE exports in April.
According to the Reuters survey, excluding changes in membership, OPEC's April production was the lowest since 2000, and significantly lower than the lowest production during the demand collapse of the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic.
The survey found that, in addition to the UAE, which withdrew from OPEC on May 1st, Venezuela and Libya also increased production in April.
The data sources for this Reuters survey include information from the London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG) data, shipping tracking agency Kpler, as well as data provided by oil companies, OPEC, and consulting firm sources. (Edited by Chu Hsiang-ping) 1150511
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Central News Agency
(Central News Agency, London, 11th, comprehensive foreign report) As the conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran led to a de facto blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC)'s crude oil production in April further declined, reaching its lowest level in over 20 years.
A Reuters survey indicated that the 12 member countries of OPEC produced 830,000 barrels per day less in April compared to the previous month, falling to 20.04 million barrels per day. The March figure was revised downwards by 700,000 barrels per day from the previous month due to adjustments in Saudi Arabia's estimation method.
The "OPEC+" group, which includes OPEC and allies like Russia, had eight members that had already agreed to resume increasing production in April. However, due to the outbreak of the Iran war on February 28th and the de facto closure of the Strait of Hormuz, fulfilling the production increase agreement became impossible.
Kuwait saw the largest production decrease within the group in April, reflecting the impact of a full month of export disruptions.
Saudi Arabia and Iraq's production also further declined, but the United Arab Emirates was the only Gulf member to increase production. Like Saudi Arabia, the UAE has export routes that can bypass the Strait of Hormuz, and tanker data also showed an increase in UAE exports in April.
According to the Reuters survey, excluding changes in membership, OPEC's April production was the lowest since 2000, and significantly lower than the lowest production during the demand collapse of the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic.
The survey found that, in addition to the UAE, which withdrew from OPEC on May 1st, Venezuela and Libya also increased production in April.
The data sources for this Reuters survey include information from the London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG) data, shipping tracking agency Kpler, as well as data provided by oil companies, OPEC, and consulting firm sources. (Edited by Chu Hsiang-ping) 1150511
Choose to stand with facts; every sponsorship you provide is a force to protect press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency's "First-hand News" APP to stay updated with the latest news.
Text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and used without authorization.