World oil trade: which countries are the largest exporters?
In 2025, the US ranked first in the world in terms of gross exports of oil and petroleum products. The country's daily export volume amounted to 10.7 million barrels. The subsequent places were occupied by Saudi Arabia and Russia.
Global oil trade: which countries are the largest exporters?
The calculations include crude oil, including gas condensate, as well as petroleum products. The figures represent gross exports — import volumes have not been deducted from them. Therefore, re-exports and transit oil may also be included in the total volume.
The five largest exporters
The daily export volumes of the leading countries in the ranking are as follows:
- USA — 10.7 million barrels;
- Saudi Arabia — 7.9 million barrels;
- Russia — 6.6 million barrels;
- Canada — 4.1 million barrels;
- United Arab Emirates — 3.9 million barrels.
Together, the US and Saudi Arabia accounted for nearly a quarter of global oil exports. The combined share of the top three countries reached 33 percent.
The publication attributed the US leadership mainly to the rapid development of shale oil production. Horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing technologies have made it possible to extract more oil from tight rock formations. The lifting of most restrictions on oil exports in 2015 expanded the access of American producers to foreign markets.
Since petroleum products are also included in the ranking, major oil refining and trading hubs can occupy high positions. The presence of the Netherlands and Singapore among the major exporters is partly explained by this factor.
Middle East leads among regions
The Middle East's exports of oil and petroleum products amounted to 22.4 million barrels per day. This is equivalent to 29.2 percent of global exports.
Europe came next, with its daily exports reaching 16.1 million barrels, and its share in the global volume reaching 21 percent. In North America, these figures were 15.7 million barrels and 20.5 percent, respectively.