Increase in Iraqi Oil Exports to Chinese Independent Refineries
The Chinese Customs Administration has reported a notable increase in Iraqi oil exports to independent refineries in China as of January 2025.
According to the latest statistics, Iraq’s oil exports surged by 35.1% in January, totaling 1.135 million metric tons, equating to approximately 8.285 million barrels. This marks a significant rise from December 2024, when exports were recorded at 840 thousand tons, or 6.132 million barrels.
Ranking Among Oil Exporters
Iraq currently ranks fifth among the nine major oil exporting nations supplying independent refineries in China. The leading exporters in January included:
- Malaysia: 5 million tons (predominantly from Iranian barrels)
- Saudi Arabia: 3.072 million tons
- Russia: 2.624 million tons
- United Arab Emirates (UAE): 1.212 million tons
- Iraq: 1.135 million tons
Following Iraq, Canada exported 400 thousand tons, Angola 269 thousand tons, Ecuador 135 thousand tons, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo rounded out the list with 126 thousand tons.
Trends in Refinery Imports
It is worth noting that overall imports by independent refineries in China decreased by 21.1% month-on-month in January, totaling 13.975 million metric tons compared to December’s figure of 17.714 million metric tons, as reported by the Chinese Customs Administration.
This data illustrates shifting dynamics in the global oil trade, highlighting Iraq’s growing significance in the supply chain to Chinese refineries amidst broader market trends.
