Iraq’s oil exportsto the United States fell sharply last week, according to the US Energy Information Administration (EIA). This decline comes amid a rise in overall US crude oil imports from key global suppliers.
The EIA reported on Sunday that average US crude imports from nine major countries reached 5.807 million barrels per day (bpd) last week. This represented a jump of 930,000 bpd from the previous week’s average of 4.877 million bpd.
Despite the overall increase, Iraq’s oil exports to the US averaged only 75,000 bpd last week. This marked a significant decline of 360,000 bpd compared with the previous week’s 435,000 bpd. Analysts note that this drop highlights shifting US supply patterns and regional competition.
Canada remained the largest crude supplier to the US, averaging 4.261 million bpd. It was followed by Mexico at 360,000 bpd and Brazil at 256,000 bpd. Nigeria supplied 217,000 bpd during the same period.
Saudi Arabia exported 212,000 bpd, while Venezuela, Colombia, and Libya contributed 193,000 bpd, 144,000 bpd, and 89,000 bpd respectively. The EIA noted that the United States did not import crude from Ecuador during the reporting week.
Experts point out that Iraq’s oil exports, reduced shipments to the US may reflect logistical constraints, market pricing, and shifting demand patterns in North America. They also note that the Middle East remains a competitive region for US oil imports alongside the Americas and Africa.
The decline in Iraq’s oil exports comes at a time when global markets are closely monitoring production levels, OPEC+ policies, and regional stability. Observers expect Iraqi producers to adjust supply strategies to maintain market share in key destinations.
Looking ahead, Iraq may work to stabilize export volumes and diversify its markets. Officials are likely to engage with international partners to enhance logistics, refine trade agreements, and respond to evolving global demand patterns.
